THE MSGILL DAILY
CB Special Issue
: (5 NOVEMBER 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
Volume 85 Number 27
Searching for M. Right since 1911
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Monday, November 13
+ Black Students’ Network
Movie Night, featuring / Like It
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e Islam Awareness Week
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ture, “Islamic Monotheism” in
Shatner B09/B10 from 18h to
20h.
Tuesday, November 14
e Post-Abortion Support
Group meets today at 17h15 in
Shatner 423. For info call Erin at
398-6823 or 288-3703.
e Islam Awareness Week
will hold a workshop on
Shahaada in Shatner 107 from
14h30 to 16h.
e TheLatin American Aware-
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eCuban Youth Tour, thetour
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ity Facing Cuban Youth Today”,
For more info call 284-0436.
Wednesday, November 15
e LBGTM’s Bisexual Discussion
Group meets tonight in Shatner
432 at 17h30. Men and Women
welcome fora friendly, open dis-
cussion.
+ Islam Awareness Week
will hold a Workshop on Knoivi-
edgein Shatner 107 from 14h30
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Comment
THE SAME UNIQUENESS
Queer, Dyke, Fag, Bi.
Labels. These days, we
tend to rely on them
more and more, to lump
people together, to cat-
egorise and define them.
Granted, labels help to
unify oppressed groups
of people. They can pro-
vide the means to form a
power base and to speak
out from it. But at the
same time, by dividing
people into “special in-
terest” groups, itis much
easier to ignore the is-
sues that these groups
bring up than to actually
address them.
Bisexual and
Transgendered (TG) is-
sues have been treated
in this way. They have
been marginalized in
mainstream society and
in the gay and lesbian
community. It has been
and still is a case of “Bi-
sexual issues only for bi-
sexuals” and
“Transgendered issues
only relate to
transgendered people”.
But these issues speak to
more people than that.
Transgendered is-
sues arent just about
hormones, drag, and SRS
(see glossary). These is-
at
sues challenge socicty’s
preconceived notions of
gender roles, gender
traits and gender, pe-
riod. They point to how
we all embody a mix of
“masculine” and “femi-
nine” traits and more im-
portant, to how arbitrary
these distinctions actu-
ally are. Beyond physi-
cal differences, the dif-
ferences in mental, emo-
tional and sexual differ-
ences are slowly disap-
pearing, as are society’s
artificial gender roles
that place women as
gatherers and men as
hunters. The roles that
society assigns to people
are those created by a
male-dominated, sex-
phobic soceity where not
everyone has been given
the chance to define
themselves. All these val-
ues and roles that soci-
ety holds as truth need
to be reconsidered in
light of transsexuality.
Bisexual politics
also emphasise that you
can't categorise people.
Bisexuality challenges
the dichotomy that you
are either heterosexual
or homosexual. But even
more than that, it chal-
THE MSGILL DAILY
Special Issue
NOVEMBER 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
Volume 85 number 27
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Cover by Derek Fung
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All contents ©1995 Daily Publications Society. All rights reserved. The
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THE MSGILL DAILY SPECIAL ISSUE
lenges the notion of “ei-
ther/or.” Bisexual peo-
ple represent the full
spectrum of human ex-
istence: from practically
hetero to almost homo,
from kinky to vanilla,
from. monogamous to
polyamorous, Every sin-
gle permutation exists
within the scope of bi-
sexuality and that is the
beauty of it. To try to
reduce everyone to these
categories is to try to
cover up and hide the
natural and evolved va-
riety of human existence.
Bisexual people reflect
the diversity within any
given group and shows
that these little black
boxes to which people
have been assigned to
just don’t work.
The bisexual and
transgendered move-
ments both suggest that
people cannot be classi-
fied into rigid “either/
or” categories and roles.
Instead it suggests that
continuums Of sexuality,
of gender, of race, of age
exist. Each person exists
somewhere along these
continuums, not defined
by limits, but by arange
of possibilities. Each per-
son is at some point of
human experience and it
is this diversity that cre-
ates the lattice of life.
The danger in con-
stant labelling and cat-
egorising is that it will
reduce the rich tapestry
of life to a single thread.
Instead of trying to de-
fine each and every sin-
gle second of human ex-
istence, why not revel in
the differences that
makes each person
unique and remember
what makes us all hu-
man: the capacity to love,
empathise and destroy.
What a boring world this
would be if we were all
the same.
In the end, I hope
that this issue will help
celebrate the different
ways of existing in this
world. And though there
are differences, remem-
ber that we are morealike
than we are unlike. We
are all human.
Derek Fung
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Page 4: What do they mean?: A glossary of
terms used to describe gender identity
Page 9: Lesbian Bisexual Gay Transgender
McGill: The evolution of LBGTM
Page 6: Where is McGill’s policy on sexual
orientation?: Students and faculty look for
an answer
Page 7: Queer in Ontario: Ontario’s right
wing darling, Mike Harris doesn’t do much
for the queer community.
The Triangle Programme: Toronto sets
up separate classes lor gay and lesbian
students
Page 8: Biphobia in Montréal: Does the city’s
gay and lesbian community exclude bi-
sexuals and transgendered people?
segregation in the LBGT community:
Looking at the riftbetween men and women
Page 9: Lesbian rights: Sexual orientation
clause deleted at the UN World Conference
on Women
Pages 10-11: Talking about the bisexual
movement: An Interview with San Francis-
co’s Maggi Rubenstein, one of the first out
bisexuals in North America
Page 12: Thoughts on gender identity: An
interview with McGill’s Olivia Jensen
Page 13: Changing your sex: The sex reas-
signment process
Page 14: Anti-gay legislation in the US:
Colorado’s Amendment 2 is brought to the
Supreme Court
Page 15: Looking for a gay gene: Does the
nature versus nurture debate really mat-
ter?
Page 16: The question of equality: Two
documentaries recently shown at the Im-
age & Nation film festival
Page 17: Coming out: The stories of two
McGill students
Page 18: The strange customs of Canada:
Border guards continue to detain LBGT
literature
NOVEMBER 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
8 SEXUAL IDENTITY AND
GENDER IDENTITY GLOSSARY
he following isa glossary
of some basic terms used
in describing gender and
sexual identity. These
meanings, however, are
continually changing and are
used differently by different
individuals in different
contexts. The definitions
assume the existence of only
two sexes and genders which
many people consider closely
related or overlapping. In this
way, they may presenta limited
view of a much richer reality,
Despite these caveats,
many people find the terms
listed here useful in varying
degrees, even if only as a
Starting point for describing
how their view of the world
differs from that represented
here,
Bearin mind that gender
identity refers to whether one
thinks of oneself as a man
(masculine) or as a woman
(feminine), gender/sex is
whether one has a vagina ora
penis and gender roles are
society's arbitrarily prescribed
rules for how people are
supposed to behave based on
their sex,
Sexual identity refers to
Whom one is sexually and
romantically attracted, When
one’s sex and gender identity
are different, sexual identity
can be based on either one.
Alternatively, one may have
lwo sexual identities, one as a
man and one as a Woman,
Androgeny: !he quality of
simultaneously exhibiting
‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’
characteristics,
Benjamin Standards, The: | lic
international guidelines
developed by Dr. Harry
Benjamin regarding
requirements of applicants
for hormone
andsexual reassignment
SUTYCTY,
Bigendered: One who switches
between masculine and
feminine gender roles
periodically.
Biphobia: The oppression or
mistreatment of bisexuals,
especially by lesbians and
gay men.
Bisexual: One who has
Significant sexual and
romantic attractions to
members of both the same
and the other sex, or who
identify as members of the
bisexual community.
Butch: |. ‘Masculine’ or macho
dress and behaviour,
regardless of sex or gender
identity. 2, A sub-identity
of lesbian or gay, based on
‘masculine’ or macho dress
and behaviour.
Come out: |. To disclose one’s
own sexual identity to
therapy
another, 2. To discover that
one’s own sexual identity is
different than previously
assumed, 3. To deal with
one’s own and others’
reactions to the discovery or
revelation of one’s sexual
identity. \
Drag: 1.Clothes, often unusual
or dramatic, especially those
considered appropriate to
the other sex. 2. Can be
applied to any recognisable
‘look’ (¢.g. “I see you are in
corporate drag today”).
Dyke: Keclaimed derogatory
slang. Refers to lesbians, or
to lesbians andbisexual
women,
F2M: I'emale to male. Used to
specify the direction of a sex
or gender role change.
Femme: |. ‘feminine’ or
effeminate dress and
behaviour, regardless of sex
or gender identity. 2. A sub-
identity of lesbian or gay,
based on ‘masculine? or
macho dress and behaviour.
Gay: One who has significant
sexual and romantic
attractions primarily to
members of the same sex, or
who identifies as a member
of the gay community, Can
refer to gay males or both
gay males and /esbians.
Although some use the term
gav community to refer to
all sexual minorities, lesbians
and bisexuals often do not
feel included by it,
Gender (identity): A
psychological gender role
(i.c. ‘masculine’ or
‘feminine’),
Gender (identity) community:
People who identify as
transvestite, transsexual, or
transgendered, Members of
the gender community do
not necessarily identify as
members of the sexual
minority community.
Gender dysphoria (GD):
Unhappiness or discomfort
experienced by one whose
sexual organs do not match
one’s gender identity.
Gender neutral: Clothing,
behaviours, thoughts,
feelings, relationships, etc,
Which are considered
appropriate for members of
both sexes,
Gender role: Arbitrary rules
assigned by society, that
define what clothing,
behaviours, thoughts,
feelings, relationships, etc.
are considered appropriate
and inappropriate for
members of each sex. What
is considered ‘masculine,’
‘feminine,’ or‘neutral' varies
according to location, class,
occasion, and numerous
other factors.
Genetic male/man (GM): Onc
who was considered male
NovemBer 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
from birth, regardless of
one’s present sex or gender
identity.
Genetic female/woman (GF/
GM): One who was
considered female from
birth, regardless of one’s
present sex or gender
identity.
Hermaphrodite: One who has
both a penis and a vagina.
Considered derogatory.
Heterosexual (het): One who
has significant sexual and
romantic attractions
primarily to members of the
other sex,
Heterosexism: The
assumption that identifying
as heterosexual and having
sexual and romantic
attractions only to members
of the other sex is good and
acceptable, and that other
sexual identities and
attractions are bad and
unacceptable. The
assumption that anyone
whose sexual orientation is
not known must be straight.
Homophobia: Originally, afear
of sexual attraction to the
same sex. Developed into a
term describing all aspects
of the oppression of lesbians,
gays, and _— bisexuals
(sometimes does not include
bisexuals).
Homosexual: l'ormalor clinical
term for gay, usually
meaning gay male, but can
refer to lesbian or bisexual.
Homosexual and
homosexuality are terms
often associated with the
proposition that same
gender attractions are a
mental disorder
(homophilia). The terms are
distasteful to some people.
Hormone therapy: Used to
change secondary sex
characteristics, including
breast size, weight
distribution, and facial hair
growth.
Identifyfied (as): To think of
oneselfas having a particular
sexual identity or gender
identity (e.g. “l identify asa
bisexual” or “He is bisexual-
identified). To emphasise
that an identity term refers
to one’s internal reality, as
opposed to what others
perceive,
Identity: How one thinks. of
oneself. One's internal self,
as Opposed to what others
perceive,
Kinsey scale, The: An cqual-
interval scale with
continuous graduations
between heterosexuality (0)
and homosexuality (6) used
as a measure of sexuality.
Label: How someone else sees
or thinks of one.
Lesbian: A woman who has
Significant sexual and
romantic attractions to
members of the same sex, or
who identifies as a member
of the lesbian community.
Bisexual women often do not
feel included by this term.
M2F: Male to female. Used to
specify the direction cfa sex
or gender role change.
Monosexual: One who has
significant sexual and
romantic attractions
primarily to members of one
sex (i.e. straight, gay,
lesbian).Someone whois not
bisexual.
Neuter: |. One who has neither
a penis nor a vagina. 2.
Occasionally used to mean
androgynous.
Other sex/gender: [he other
sex or vender than the
reference person’s own (¢.g.
“She has an other sex
partner”).
(To be) Out: To be open about
one’s sexual identity with
someone or in a situation.
(To) Out (someone): |. [0
disclose a second person’s
sexual identity to a third
person, particularly without
the second person’s
permission, 2. To disclose
one’s own sexual identity,
sometimes inadvertantly.
Pre-operative transsexual
(Pre-op TS): One who is
actively planning to switch
physical sexes, mostly to
relieve gender dysphoria..
Probably, but not
necessarily, cross dresses,
takes hormone therapy, and
gets electrolysis.
Primary sex organs: Penis
(male) or vagina (female).
Queer: Reclaimed derogatory
slang for the sexual minority
community (e.g. Queer
Nation), Not accepted by all
the sexual minority
community, especially older
members,
Same sex/gender: The same
sex or gender as the
reference person’s own (e.g.
“She has a same sex
partner”),
Sex: male or female, depending
onone’s primary sex organs,
Sex role: See gender role.
Sexual identity: How one
thinks of oneself, in terms of
being significantly attracted
to members of the same or
the other sex, Based on one’s
internal experience, as
opposed to which gender
one’s sexual partners belong
to.
Sexual identity/minority
community: A formal term
which includes Jesbians,
bisexuals, gays, and
sometimes members of the
gender community.
Members of the sexual
minoritycommunity usually
do not identify as members
of the gender community.
Sexual orientation/
preference: Hoi one thinks
of her/himself, in terms of
being significantly attracted
to members the same or the
other sex. Sexual orientation
implies the inability to
control or influence the
development of one’s sexual
and romantic attractions,
Conversely, sexual
preference implies the
ability to control or influence
the development of one’s
sexual and romantic
attractions
Sexual reassignment surgery
(SRS): A surgical procedure
which changes one’s primary
sexual organs from one sex
to another (i.e. penis to
vagina or vagina to penis).
Stonewall: A pivotal event in
1969, which basically
involved queers revolting
against discrimination, that
many attribute to having
spurred the modern queer
movement
Straight: Colloquial for
heterosexual, Because
straight has connotations of
“unadulterated,” “pure,”
and “honest,” some
members of the sexual
identity community object
to the implication that one
who is not straightis “bent,”
“adulterated,” “impure,” or
“dishonest.” Straight has
connotations of ‘narrow,’
‘straight-laced’ or
‘conservative,’ and some
heterosexual-identified
people find it distasteful.
Transgender community:
Formal term for gender
community.
Transgendered (TG): One who
switches gender roles,
whether just once, or many
times at will. Inclusive term
for transsexuals and
transvestites,
Transsexual (TS): One who
switches physical sexes
(usually just once, but there
are exceptions), Primary sex
change is accomplished by
sexual reassignment surgery,
Hormone therapy,
electrolysis, additional
surgery, and other
treatments that change
secondary SCX
characteristics,
Transvestite (TV): One who
mainly cross-dresses for
pleasure in the appearance
and sensation. The pleasure
may not be directly erotic.
May feel comfortable in a
focused transgender role
while cross dressed. May
occasionally experience
gender dysphoria.
\ 4 ) THE MSGILL DAILY SPECIAL ISSUE
LBGTM expands its
By Roberta Laucke
t Was only four years ago
that queer McGill students
created a new student-run
service to ensure that their
needs would be addressed.
In 1991 the group was
called Gays and Lesbians at :
McGill. The group has since
expanded its name to Lesbian,
Bisexual, Gay and
Transgendered Students of
McGill (LBGTM) in order to
include more members of the
queer community rather than
just gays and lesbians.
“The role of LBGTM is to
offer a safe space in and
outside of McGill. It is a place
to talk to people,” explained
Sean Addis, | LBGTM’s
administrator.
“Here you can get to know
people with the same concerns
and political aspirations. You
can receive counseling. We
have dances and general
discussion groups,” he
continued,
Many students at’ McGill
have found the group
extremely helpful in
encouraging them to deal with
their sexuality. This safe
environment has made them
feel comfortable to be
themselves.
“Tcame out my second year
at McGill University. It’s nice
knowing that something is out
there... that we have a
community and support so we
do not feel alone,” stated
Karen Tamaki, LBGTM's social
co-coordinator.
Membership numbers were
low when the group first
started, and the group
expanded to include bisexuals
during the 1992-1993 school
year. Last summer a
discussion group was held to
make the group even more
inclusive by adding
transgendered people to the
name, These changes were
made to make all students
feel welcome within the
group.
“Last year we discussed
offering more space for
everyone. In our constitution
it states [that] we represent
all issues and all people. We
added transgendered people
to make them feel included.
The key is solidarity. We want
transgendered people to feel
accepted,” stated Addis.
The group’s expansion has
been beneficial to many
students, “This expansion has
made people address gender
issues... There’s a lot more
interest from women and
trangendered people,” stated
Chris Carter, political co-
coordinator at LBGTM,
“This has been beneficial
for everyone. The main thing
we wanted to do is raise
awareness and we have,” he
added.
But even with these
changes, some people still feel
marginalised by LBGTM.
“Most of the people who are
active in the leadership of the
group are men. Men have paid
a lot of lip service in getting
women involved... [but] it is
the old boys’ network,” said
Cherie Payne, a recent McGill
graduate and past LBGTM
member.
community
“I found
membership the women’s
level of involvement is low...
There is definitely room for
women to improve [their]
Status in LBGTM,” Payne
added.
Tamaki agreed with Payne
and stated that changes are
necessary. “I thinkitis a tricky
situation. There is separation
between the men and the
women because the group is
male-dominated, so the
women feel marginalised
because theyare the minority.
The general discussion group
has 20 men and only three or
four women. The situation can
be improved.”
According to Jeanna Steele,
a U3 Arts student and past
member of LBGTM, it is not
only women but other groups
who feel isolated as well.
“Tfelt marginalised because
[ am bisexual. I could not
identify with the issues in the
general discussion group. We
had a separate group that was
better. It identified more with
bisexuals. I think itwould have
been better if we had more
group activities,” she said.
Carter agreed with Steele,
but stressed that the situation
is slowly improving. “Lots of
groups feel marginalised,
[like] blacks, people of colour,
bisexuals and women, [but] it
is getting better. There have
been problems with this
situation and we are working
on it,” he said.
“Women in the past had
low representation and we
have addressed these issues.
in terms of
Now gender parity is required
by the constitution for
everything that LBGTM does.
There are more women
volunteers for higher
positions. We are getting
events at Sisters, the lesbian
and bisexual bar. There has
been the creation of the
Women's group. The situation
is improving,” he continued.
LBGTM has also been trying
to change policies at McGill.
Members of the student-run
Organisation feel the
University is not sensitive to
issues affecting the queer
community.
As such, LBGTM coordi-
nators and Students’ Society
VP University Affairs Lisa
Grushcow have been working
together on a questionnaire
addressing problems of
sexuality in relation to student
life Seat? McGill. The
questionnaire will be given out
to students and faculty across
campus exi semester.
“The questionnaire will be
modeled after the one
Concordia gave out. We will
be looking at heterosexuality
and homophobia,” stated
Grushcow. “We want to know
if people are experiencing
homophobia from peers and
student services. We want to
know if LBGT students are well
served at McGill or if there is
discrimination. We are looking
for some direction to see what
it is that we need to work on.”
The questionnaire will
provide specific facts to help
McGill develop queer-
sensitive policies and provide
a safe space for everyone on
campus. "Everyonc on campus
should feel at home,” said
Grushcow, but as of this
moment not everyone docs.
“Right now homosexuality
is seen as a disease in some
quarters. People are called
‘faggots’ and people have been
beaten up. We want
homophobia, sexism and
other forms of discrimination
to be addressed in McGill’s
harassment policies. These are
student issues and we need to
raise awareness,” she stated,
Carter concurred with
Grushcow. “McGill's
administration is behind every
other university on
harassment and
discrimination policies. There
are no gay, lesbian, bisexual
or transgendered policies.
These issues have to be taken
into consideration. There are
benefits for opposite sex
employees. There is nothing
for the same sex.”
Interested students can go to
the following events: Bisexual
group Wed. 17h30 pm,
Shatner rm 423. Womyn's
troup: Thurs. 18h Shatner
425. Coming Out group Fri.
[7h50 United Theological
College at 3521 University.
General Group Fri. 19h in
the basement of the United
Theological College.
Coordinating committee
mecting Wed, 18h30 Shatner
455. There is also an LBGTM
library available to all
students. For more info: 398-
6822,
THE MSGILL DAILY SPECIAL ISSUE ( 5 ) November 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
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By Jacqueline Reis
In 1991, the Québec Human
Rights Commission found that
there was an atmosphere of
homophobia at McGill.
Raynald Lepage, president
of Lesbian and Gay Employ-
ees of McGill (LAGEM) re-
counted one instance in which
“A supervisor told an e@m-
ployee that had that person
known thatthe employee was
gay, he would have never been
hired.”
He added, “It was a com-
ment that went a long way.”
When asked about McGill's
response to discrimination on
the basis of sexual orienta-
tion, Sean Addis, administra-
tor of Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay
and Transgendered students
of McGill (LBGTM), said “I
think it’s an issue that they
Lry to neglect. [Us something
that they try to blind sight...
[But] we know that it’s
present.”
Addis cited the events sur-
rounding a recent LBGTM
dance at Gert’s as one exam-
ple. According to Addis, many
of the people who were in the
bar before the dance made
homophobic comments and
POSLUTCS,
“Sometimes people don't
say much, but it is present,”
said Addis.
“I’ve heard a lot of stories
and I believe a lot of stories,”
said Lisa Grushcow, Students’
Sociely vp university affairs,
Grushcow listed several forms
of heterosexism on campus,
including gay bashing,
homophobic slurs and a cur-
riculum that teaches homo-
sexuality as a deviation.
“It happens,” said Chris
Carter, a political coordina-
tor alLBGTM, referring to dis-
crimination on the basis of
sexual orientation. “A
proactive administration on
this issue would be great.”
But when asked if he ex-
pected to see this happen, his
response was “In a word, no,”
Where's the policy?
The words “sexual orienta-
tion” are mentioned only once
in the entire forest of paper
work that makes up McGill
policy.
“Every student has a right
to equal treatment by the
University; this right must not
be impaired by discrimina-
tion based on race, colour,
ethnic or national origin, civil
status, religion, creed, politi-
cal conviction, language, sex,
sexual orientation, social con-
dition, age, personal handi-
cap” ete. (Charter of Students’
Novemser 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
Rights, Part 1, 2.1).
This excerpt applies only
to students. Faculty members
fall under McGill’s equity
policy: “McGill University is
committed toemployment eq-
uity and in particular to pro-
viding equal employment op-
portunities consistent with the
provisions of the Québec
Charter of Human Rights and
Freedoms and the Canadian
Charter of Rights and
lrecdoms.”
Honora Shaughnessy, di-
rector of the Employment
Equity Office, said that Eq-
uity does not have a spe-
cific mandate to deal with
issues of discrimination on
the basis of sexual orienta-
lion.
“Noone has ever come to
me specifically complain-
ing [about] sexual orienta-
tion... The Equity Office
doesn’t have a mandate,”
she said, adding that no
equity office in Canada
does. “That's just the way it
is.”
According to the office
of the principal and vice-
principals, Shaughnessy is
the administration’s
spokesperson on this issue,
Fortunately for staff
members, the Quebec Char-
ter was the first human
rights document in Canada
lo specifically entrench the
right to freedom from dis-
crimination on the basis of
sexual orientation.
McGill’s scanty policies
on this issue are considered
inadequate by members of
both the student and faculty
communities.
from scratch
Groups work toward
sexual orientation policy
“T haven't kind of grouped
harassment on the basis on
any of those things, but there
continue to be a number of
students who will bring these
issues forth, in terms of either
remarks faculty or teachers
made that they find offensive,”
said Estelle Hopmeyer,
ombudsperson for students.
“] think it would be very
helpful if there was a more
[comprehensive] policy on any
kind of harassment,” she
added.
‘I know
from hav-
ing talked
to other
universi-
ties, McGill
is behind
the times,”
Sean Addis, admin-
istrator of Lesbian,
Bisexual, Gay and
Transgendered stu-
dents of McGill
(LBGTM).
”
“There is no official policy,
said Carter. “To have it worded
out, specifically, would make
sure someone goes ahead [with
filing a grievance].”
Addis commented that “A
lot of times LBGT issues are
neglected, are put to the side...
I know from having talked to
other universities, McGill is be-
hind the times.”
Good for a trip to the den-
tist, but...
One measure of an institution's
attitude toward homosexu-
ality is the extent to which
itoffersitsemployees same-
sex benefits.
According to Lepage,
McGill extends monetary
benefits, such as Medicare
and the dental plan, to
Same-Sex spouses as per the
Québec Charter.
To qualify for these
rights, the employee and
his/her partner must meet
the same standards a com-
mon-law heterosexual cou-
plewould, thatis, they must
have lived together for
three years. Lepage men-
tioned that a letter is ad-
equate proof of this.
However, McGill does not
extend same-sex benefits in
terms of time if an employ-
ee’s partner becomes sick
or if one of their in-laws
dies.
“To me, being gay is be-
ing human, and! don’t see
why we should be denied
what has been granted to
everyone,” said Lepage. “It’s
inconsiderable that some
kinds [of people] would be
denied the right to funeral
rights,”
Lepage added that LAGEM is
not a highly visible organisa-
tion on campus (the Daily
talked to several people who
were not sure it still existed).
“We are made up of people
involved in various organisa-
tions anyway,” said Lepage,
who keeps a list of phone num-
bers to help members find as-
sistance.
“We don’t feel the need of
making a big display,” he con-
cluded.
Making “a big display” is
particularly difficult when
your members don’t always
want to be seen. Lepage would
not say how many members
LAGEM has and mentioned
that it is often easier for stu-
dents to ‘come out’ than em-
ployees.
“The younger people are
much more confident, and
there are more resources for
them to know that they are not
alone,” said Lepage. “Employ-
ees tend to keep a low profile.
Usually, if they get along with
people, they might open up,
but they keep it very quiet...
“You don’t give any lead to
it, but you don’t deny or con-
firm,” he added. “I think the
higher they go into the hierar-
chy, especially at McGill, the
less you're going to hear about
its.
Taking action
Students at McGill are taking
steps to find out to what ex-
tent the “atmosphere of
homophobia” still exists at
McGill and how it can be ad-
dressed.
Members of LBGTM and the
Students’ Society plan to ask
students to fill out a question-
naire about heterosexism on
campus,
“McGill’s behind the times
in a lot of things,” said Addis.
“Now it’s time to just show the
Dean of Students, this is what
we got through our question-
naire.... It’s an actual fact, it’s
not just people whining.”
Addis and Grushcow hope
that the questionnaire will give
students and administrators
specific areas on which to fo-
cus, like residence life, Stu-
dent Services, the Students’
Society or course curricula.
“I think we need a policy
and I think we need to get
directions,” said Grushcow.
Grushcow expects the ques-
tionnaires to be available at
tables around campus in the
third week in January.
For more information on Les-
bian and Gay Employees of
McGill (LAGEM), call Raynald
Lepage at 398-4711, or write
to LAGEM, c/o Raynald Lepage,
Department of Rare Books,
McLennan Library.
THE MSGILL DAILY SPECIAL ISSUE
= Worried about dp
Harris cuts hit queer com-
EL a ~
by Idella Sturino
Ithough Ontario Pre-
A mier Mike Harris has
taken no official stance
on gay and lesbian
rights in the province, recent
decisions made by the Harris
government have members of
the queer community wonder-
ing,
A decision not to re-intro-
duce legislation to give same-
sex couples equal benefits as
opposite-sex couples — an ini-
tiative the Rae government
tried unsuccessfully — seems
to reflect the Harris govern-
ment’s general attitude.
“(Same sex benefits are) not
a priority for the government,
not something they were
elected on,” said David Lan-
caster, a special assistant to
Rosedale Conservative MPP Al
Leach, the attorney-general.
Asimilar decision was made
in July, when the government
decided to pull out of a court
challenge initiated by the pre-
vious NDP government against
the federal Income Tax Act.
The intervention was made on
behalf of the Canadian Union
of Public Employees, which
argued that the Act’s defini-
tion of spouse was unconstitu-
tional because it referred to
heterosexual couples only.
In addition, the government
recently reversed the prov-
ince’s position on a ruling on
the provincial Fam-
ily Law Act. Marian
Boyd, then attorney-
general, had tried
unsuccessfully to
change the Act’s
definition of spouse
to include same-sex |".
couples and later ar- | =)
gued that the defi- AOR RS AE oats aye ES
nition, left un-
changed, was un-
constitutional be-
cause it discrimi- |@
nated on the |i
grounds of sexual [84
orientation. The Rae |e
government had |
submitted its oppo- |
sition as an
intervenor in a civil
action suit. How-
ever, a Harris gov-
ernment
the law’s validity as
itstands in asubmission to the
court in September,
Other ominous signs that
affect Ontarians both within
and outside the queer com-
myinity include cuts to social
services, cooperative housing
and community-based centres,
Micheal Shapcott of the Co-
operative Housing Association
of Ontario talks about the re-
cent Harris decision to kill 385
new subsidised housing
* #
lawyer,
Robert Charney, ef-
fectively sided with
projects, including a gay and
lesbian co-op in Toronto. Ac-
cording to Shapcott, these
kinds. of housing initiatives
have been particularly impor-
tant for gays and lesbians. Like
single mothers, people of col-
our and people with disabili-
ties, “gays and lesbians have
long been marginalised by the
private housing market and
the only good housing for them
has been co-op housing,”
Shapcott said,
He added that com-
munity initiatives
within co-ops have set
aside many of the ex-
isting units for people
living with AIDS.
Those who did not
f find housing under
these initiatives, how-
ever, Will have a diffi-
cult time finding ad-
equate housing be-
cause of a July deci-
sion to freeze the con-
struction of new units.
“What (the Harris
government) has
) done is frozen exist-
ing stock, and there's
no hope they'll be new
stock in coming years
for the growing de-
mand, which is very
strong,” said Shapcott.
In addition to cuts
to housing, hospitals
and special health services, the
government recently an-
nounced.a $1.7 million cut to
an HIV assistance programme
and a further $77 000
trimmed from an AIDS pre-
vention and control program.
While these cuts affect all
Ontarians, the proportion of
people living with AIDS is
higher among the gay male
community than within. the
province as a whole, However,
munity hard
the group that is currently
contracting AIDS at the fast-
est rate is general population
between the ages of 18 and
25.
Harris’ cuts may hit people
living with AIDS the hardest.
Finance Minister David
Tsbouchi’s infamous $90-a-
month diet, for example, is
not adequate for anyone, let
alone someone living with an
illness like AIDS and has spe-
cial nutritional needs. Accord-
ing to advocates, poverty is a
reality for many people living
with AIDS.
Cuts to community centres
may also have an impact on
AIDS-related services, In early
October, the government an-
nounced a total of $6.3 mil-
lion in cuts to neighbourhood
community-based centres, ef-
fective as of Januaryl. Sev-
eral of these centres have had
up to 80 per cent of their
funding cut. Many provide
AIDS-related services, suchas
outreach, counseling and pre-
ventative education,
Summarising the effects of
the Harris cuts, Toronto City
Councilor Kyle Rae told eye
weekly magazine earlier this
month, “The Tory govern-
ment doesn'tcare about street
youth, HIV-positive youth, the
poor or the City of Toronto.”
Inching their way out of the mainstream
by Sonia Verma
usual in September.
This year, the
Toronto Board of Education
launched an innovative pro-
gramme to specifically address
the educational and emotional
needs of gay and lesbian youth.
The Triangle Programme
provides an alternative school
for students aged 16-21 who
have experienced physical or
emotional abuse in main-
stream schools because of their
sexual orientation.
“The Triangle Programme
is designed to respond to the
failure of mainstream schools
to beinclusive,” explained John
Campey, an openly gay To-
ronto School Board Trustee
who helped to initiate the pro-
gramme,
It is hoped that the pro-
gramme will offer vulnerable
students a refuge from the
homophobia and harassment
present in mainstream schools.
“These kids have endured ver-
bal harassment, been beaten-
up and have been denied rep-
resentation in the curriculum,”
Campey explained.
The Triangle Programme is
one of several specialty schools
opened as an extension of the
ot all Toronto students
N went back to school as
Oasis alternative schools pro-
gramme. Oasis was created
under the Rae government
(1990-1995) in order to ac-
commodate students who have
fallen out of the mainstream
system. The schools offer spe-
cialised curricula based on spe-
cific needs of individual stu-
dents.
This existing institutional
framework meant that the Tri-
angle Programme and the
Nighana Programme that ad-
dresses the needs of black stu-
dents were initiated with little
difficulty. The implementation
of these programmes was Car-
ried out on an exclusively ad-
ministrative level in order to
avoid a potential right-wing
backlash.
The classes, which are lim-
ited to 25 students and one
teacher each, focus on indi-
vidual learning and independ-
ent study. Supporters of the
Triangle Programme say that
gay and lesbian students’ spe-
cificneeds are more effectively
addressed in a student-
friendly learning environment
than in what Campey called
the “educational factory” of
mainstream schools.
But some critics of the pro-
Separate classes for gays
and lesbians in Toronto
gramme claim that it may do
more harm than good. They
say it isolates gay and lesbian
students by placing them on
the periphery of the greater
student body.
The programme is not in-
tended to actively segregate
students. Those who have en-
rolled are unable to cope in
mainstream schools. Many had
dropped out or had been frus-
trated enough to consider it.
The Triangle Programme is
designed to offer them a
choice.
The programme provides
these students with an oppor-
tunity to succeed in a gay-
positive environment. Classes
are taught by an openly gay
teacher in a space donated by
the Metropolitan Community
Church, which has a large gay
congregation.
David Rayside, vice-presi-
dent of University College and
founder of the University of
Toronto’s Committee on
Homophobia maintained, “It
is not an attempt to take peo-
ple out of school, it is a transi-
tionary stage aimed at people
who have already dropped out
of school.”
Rayside, however, acknowl-
edged that the reintegration
of Triangle Programme stu-
dents is an important chal-
lenge. “It is a difficult issue. It
may be hard to re-integrate
these students when they
leave such a secure environ-
ment,” he said.
There is also the risk that
creating separate classes for
gays and lesbians will reduce
the pressure for mainstream
schools to accommodate the
needs of marginalised stu-
dents.
However, both Campey and
Rayside argued the contrary.
“The programme makes gay
and lesbian issues more vis-
ible, creating a higher aware-
ness right across the board,”
Campey said.
The Triangle Programme is
only one elementinaseries of
curricular and policy reforms
executed by the Toronto
Board of Education to reflect
the diverse educational needs
of its students. Changes in
curriculum, an inclusive
sexual harassment policy, sup-
port groups and equity work
represent a significant reas-
sessmentof less accommodat-
ing Board procedures.
Because the programme is
still in its initial phases, the
impact of students returning
to mainstream schools and,
toa greater extent, the overall
success of the programme
won’t be known for years to
come.
According to Campey, com-
prehensive change as demon-
strated by the Triangle pro-
gramme has been “quite suc-
cessful.” However, the fight
for gay and lesbian rights in
the school system is still an
uphill battle. “Change tends
to occur in inches,” Rayside
commented,
THE MSGILL DAILY SPECIAL ISSUE ( 7 ) NOVEMBER 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
a Coming to grips with diversity
by Melanie Newton
he Gay and Lesbian
Community Centre of
Montréal. The Gay and
Lesbian Film Festival. Diffusion
gaic et lesbienne. Association
gaie et lesbienne d'UQAM.
Once upon a time,
organisations like the ones
listed above stood out as
symbols of queer unity and
activism. Now they are just as
noticeable forsomething which
they don’t say — bisexual.
Many activists see this
omission of bisexuals as a
reflection of ignorance about
bisexuality at best, and blatant
biphobia (prejudice against
bisexuals) at worst.
“There’s a sort of classic
argument that bisexuals only
need recognition in so far as
they are gay. The other
[straight] aspect of their
personality is covered by the
greater society and we don’t
need to cater to that,” says
David D’Andrea, facilitator of
LBGTM’s bisexual discussion
group,
According to D’Andrea the
term “gay” once genuinely
included all non-heterosexuals.
llowever, as the movement
gained strength there was a
move toexclude “embarrassing
elements” -- like feminists,
bisexuals and transgendered
people -- from the struggle.
LBGTM'S Political
Coordinator Chris Carter says
this neglect has limited the
ee nimes sn ee = ms ee
number of services
to bisexuals.
“Discussion groups,
support groups, bars,
magazines are not available
to bisexuals. The Montréal
community has never done
political action directly
pertaining to bisexuals at all,”
says Carter.
Controversy surrounded last
year’s Divers/Cité march,
catering
Montréal’s gay pride pass
when Ki Namaste,
the only bisexual or
transgendered
person scheduled
to speak, was cut
from the
programme at the
last minute.
groups, these [older] people
didn’t come of age in a time
when bisexuality was an issue.
They don’t understand it...,”
says D'Andrea.
The lack of bi-positive
organisations places
overwhelming pressure on the
few that exist. Montréal
bisexuals lost an important
forum this year with, the
demise of Bi-The- -Way! the
city's only other. bisexual
“just as $ lesbians and: gay men ™ 23)
refuse the narrow options of.
compulsory heterosexuality, we
services are available from one
year to the next. But given
that Québec’s queer
community is allegedly the
province’s largest minority
group, these points don’t fully
explain the absence of a
bisexual movement in
Montréal.
Another explanation may
be the lack of communication
between campus queer
organisations — where most
of the
movement’s
OL
theoretical
issues are
discussed —
and the wider
Montréal
Carter pointsto refuse to be trapped by ahetero/ community.
the Image and i And then
Nation Gay and’ homo man/woman split.” — there is the
Lesbian Film language
Festival; organised ‘Bisexual and transgender, activist. divide. Chantal,
by Diffusions gaic
etlesbienne,as one
of the few non-
university queer
events which deals with
bisexual issues.
Explaining the silence
Why are there so few services
for queer people and why has
no bisexual movement
developed here?
D’Andrea says there is an
age division across North
America’s queer movement.
“Certainly in a lot of gay
Ki Namaste...
discussion group besides
LBGTM’s.
Bi-The-Way facilitator
Caroline Coté had to end the
group because of the
enormous strain on the
yroup’s organisers. Côté
looked for someone to take it
over, but could find no one
willing.
The constant turn-over
makes it hard to know what
a francophone
“bisexual and a
feOnrameenr
Université de
Montréal student explains,
“You’d have to be an
anglophone student to find
out about [LBGTM’s bisexual
discussion group]....”
Recently, queer groups at
French and English universities
and CEGEPs in Montréal tried
to form a Queer Federation.
But language problems and the
issue of bisexuality ultimately
contributed to the plan’s
THE BISEXUALITY DEBATE IN MONTREAL
failure.
According to Carter, one of
the francophone organisations
was unwilling to include
bisexual rights in the
federation’s Constitution.
Signs of the timesat McGill
In 1992, the Gays and Lesbians
of McGill (GALOM) was one of
the city’s first organisations to
change its name to include
bisexuals, becoming the
Lesbians, Bisexuals and Gays of
McGill. To overcome biphobia
and sexism, LBGM also
introduced a non-
discrimination clause in their
Constitution.
This year the name was
changed again to Lesbian,
Bisexual, Gay and Transgender
Students of McGill.
“It’s unmistakable that it’s
getting better just in the few
years that I’ve been at McGill.
But it used to be accepted to
question, within LBGM (then
called GALOM), whether
bisexuals actually exist and
whether we need to accept
them,” says D’Andrea.
According to D'Andrea, the
bisexual discussion group was
also started “because, if you go
to the general discussion group,
it’s mainly homosexual as
opposed to bisexual...”
Opinion differs on how
LBGTM’s reforms have changed’
gay and lesbian members’
attitudes towards bisexuality.
A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE
by Karen Tamaki and Chris Carter
any suggest that the
lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and
transgender community is
merely a
convenience, a temporal
community united by the
pursuit of a few common goals
and our status as second class
citizens.
But some, like Peter Wallet,
an LBGTM facilitator, believe
this union is necessary.
“We [lesbian, bisexual, gay
and transgender people]
should take other groups
under our wings,” stated
Wallet.
“Weare all not liked, we are
all discriminated against and
we all have to deal with gender
and sexuality issues,” he
added,
However, because
discrimination is so pervasive
throughout society, it is
inevitably a part of the queer
community.
In interviewing students, .
saw. this sort Of:
many.
marriage of
segregation manifested in
community bars and
discussion groups. Chris M,
peer support referral
coordinator of LBGTM, noted
“There is segregation with
clubs. Even supposedly mixed
clubs are dominated by men.
Therefore, women prefer to
go to women-only clubs.”
The desire for segregated
groups can also be found in
the organisation of LBGTM’s
social groups, which recently
added a women’s group due to
the large percentage of menin
the general discussion group.
Is this reinforcing the gap
between men and women?
Chris M. saw this
segregation as inappropriate.
But Wallet explained that,
“Women area neglected sector
of society. [Discussion groups]
provide a forum solely
concerning [women’s] issues.
Sexism is inherent in the gay
community,
unavoidable dite to our
society.’ ane
Novemser 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
and it is.
Meredith Cohen, an LBGTM
general discussion group
facilitator, added to this
sentiment.
“It is not that lesbians [and
bisexual women] are
uncomfortable around gay
[and bisexual] men or vice
versa, it’s just that women feel
strange ifthey walkintoa club
or room that is dominated by...
the opposite sex.”
Cohen continued to
acknowledge that sexism,
misogyny and male-bashing is
a problem within the
community. She said, however,
“I don’t expect to walk up to
gay men and have them be
sexist. It’s notaspecial problem
within our. community.
Comparing ourselves to other
factions, we are much more
healthy. We have all gone
through an analysis of
ourselves, ourcommunity, and:
the world in which we live,
and we are therefore much
better at understanding these
~~ elements, Therefore, we expect
amore enlightened view (from
queer people],”
For Hannah Rogers, a
political coordinator at
LBGTM, the separation
between men and women in
forums such as discussion
groups is notso mucha matter
of sexism as a lack of common
interests,
“|The rift between men and
women] partly is a result of
sexism, and partly it’s due to
the fact that gay men and
lesbians have few common
interests, What do lesbians and
gay men really have in
common?” —
Rogers went on to note that
she often felt like a token
female offering opinions on
gay male issues at the general
discussion group
“The women’s groupis there
because women specifically
wanted a group. If men wanted
one, there would be a men’s
group. It's not a matter of
segregation. LBGTM speaks to
the needs of the people in its
The rift between men and women in the queer community
organisation,” said Sean Addis,
LBGTM’s administrator.
“We're trying to meet
everyone’s concerns. It’s the
same as the bisexual group.
We still have the general group
as an option for the entire
community to DERE
together.”
Addis noted that the most
important thing is to provide
a safe environment for all
members. He also pointed out
thattheinclusionofawomen's
group in LBGTM has definitely
increased the female
membership, as Was
demonstrated by the high
proportion of women (over 50
per cent) at LBGTM’s most
recent dance at Gert's.
As a community composed
of people of all races, religions,
and genders, it is necessary to
recognise differences.
However, as gender roles
become less rigidly defined, it
is increasingly true that
everyone's issues are creryone
else's issues, - skh madi |
THE MSGILL DAILY SPECIAL SUE
i
?
pr “on
—_—" = — ne
._
Jen Mooney, a bisexual, said
her experience has been good.
“It was really, really positive,
very accepting — no pressure
to say that! was biorstraight or
lesbian,” said Mooney.
Eric, a 20 year old student
who neither defines himself as
bisexual nor straight, feels
differently. He agrees that
LBGTM has changed a lot but
finds that they have catered to
stereotypes and have “played
down diversity.”
Weredowegofromhere?
Most people agree that the
movement has made some steps
forward on the issue of
bisexuality, but say more must
be done.
D'Andrea says there have
been bi-positive improvements
to Montréal’s queer services,
particularly help-lines for
people who are questioning
their sexuality or just need to
talk about it,
But D’Andrea is critical of
the queer Montréal media,
Which he says is “not really
cognizant of diversity.”
Meanwhile, John Rioux of
the Gay and Lesbian
Community Centre of Montréal
(CCGLM), the only one of its
bind in tha city elaime that
A LURDIL clin. Lees LUE, LU bea
that, within the community,
there is diversity.”
However, some sce the
CCGLM as unwilling to
represent the whole
community.
“Last year, a friend of mine
asked a representative of the
CCGLM specifically what their
line on bisexuality was. [The
representative] said he doesn’t
think that bisexuality exists,
that you’re either gay or
Straight,” says bisexual
Concordia student Tamara
Vukov.
D'Andrea says more queer
Organisations need to accept
responsibility for addressing
bisexual issues. He sees open
discussion, with knowledgeable
bisexuals present, as a
necessary first step. In Carter’s
opinion, more organisations
should take a “zero tolerance”
stand against biphobia.
In the speech which she was
to read at Divers/Cité,
Montréaler Ki Namaste says “...
As bisexuals and
transgenders... [w]e do not just
offer new or different names to
call oneself.
“We pose a fundamental
challenge to the ways in which
gender and sexuality are
organised in this society. Just as
lesbians and gay men refuse the
narrow options of compulsory
heterosexuality, we refuse to be
trapped by ahetero/homo man/
woman split.”
GETTING THE BALL ROLLING és
Lesbian presence felt at world
conference on women
by Anup Grewal
n Sept. 8, women
sitting through a key
plenary session at the
UN Beijing Conference on
Women were confronted bya
banner reading “Lesbian
Rights are Human Rights.”
The plenary ground to a
halt and guards quickly
removed the disruptors —
lesbian participants — who had
wanted to call attention to the
lesbian presence at the
conference.
This event is telling of the
dynamics played out in both
the Non-Governmental
Organisations conference in
Huairou, Chinaand the official
conference in Beijing. Women
from more than 189 countries
gathered for the first two weeks
in September to discuss the
Platform for Action, hailed by
many as a groundbreaking
document for recognising the
diverse lives of women
everywhere.
But as the conference drew
to a close in the wee hours of
Sept. 15, a much-anticipated
clause recognising the right to
sexual orientation was deleted
from the Platform because
more than 30 countries
remained in opposition to it.
While this was a
disappointment for lesbians
and other women, some felt
that all was not lost. Julie Dorf
Lesbian Human Rights
Commission in San Fransisco
commented on the important
achievements in terms of
visibilityand participation that
lesbian women made at the
conferences. “No one who was
at either conference could have
been there without thinking
about sexual orientation,” she
stated. mo
Canadian initiative
The inclusion of the term
sexual orientation:was a point
of debate from the start:
Canada had introduced the
term at the final preparatory
meeting for the’ Beijing”
conference in New York at the
end of April. |
Sheila Reghr of Status of
Women Canada said that this
is “entirely consistent with.
voices like Hayes’. were
definitely a minority at the
conference. Dorf remained»
Canadian policy.”
According to Reghr, Canada
requested a “descriptive
paragraph [which included the
term sexual orientation] to
recognise women’s diversity”
in the conference’s Platform.
This request was supported
by the 54 countries of the
Economic Commission of
Europe.
However, there was not
enough time to discuss the
inclusion of sexual orientation,
so the Commission put the
term in brackets in four places
in the document, leaving the
decision for the actual
conference.
THE MSGILL DAILY SPECIAL ISSUE
According to one Canadian
official quoted in the Globe
and Mail Sept.9, the fact that
“sexual orientation” was not
included is not surprising:
“Recognition of this form of
discrimination is not an easy
one for many countries.”
Yet, as Reghr pointed out,
Canadaand 30 other countries,
including the European Union
nations, Australia, Cuba, Israel,
Slovenia and South Africa
supported including the term
“sexual orientation.” This,
also been at the Nairobi
women’s conference in 1985,
was “outstanding,”
These nations all added
supplementary clauses to the
conference report stating that
in their individual countries
they will recognise sexual
orientation as unacceptable
grounds for discrimination.
Give and take
There was some disagreement
Within the Canadian
delegation. Sharon Hayes, a
Reform MP who attended the
conference, left early. “I was
perturbed by Canada’s
support during the conference
for defining. women’s sexual
rights, including the right to
choose their. sexual
orientation.”
But, according to Dorf,
positive. “We did not manage
to retain the language, but we.
did manage to have a full
discussion
end of the conference.”
Dorf added that the vocal
lesbian presence at the
conferences aided the “radical
end of the progressive parts of
the document” and allowed
unprecedented measures to be
adopted.
Pointing toa clause defining
women’s rights, Dorf said,
“There were positive gains on
“on sexual.
orientation for one houratthe
sexual autonomy. We can do
what we want with our bodies:
we have the right to say ‘no’.”
The clause Dorf refered to
asserts that women’s human
rights include the rights to
control and decide matters
related to their sexuality, free
from coercion, discrimination
or violence. There is also a
clause which notes that
“various forms of the family
exist.”
lor Rachel Rosenbloom, also
of the International Gay and
Commission, this clause is
“very good.” In an October
interview with the Advocate,
Rosenbloom said she was
hopeful thatlesbian rights will
be recognised at the next UN
women’s conference. The
trend seems to be positive: At
the Nairobi conference in
1985, only one nation openly
- supported lesbian rights, while
over 30 did in Beijing.
In the meantime, Dorf hailed
the opportunity the Beijing
conference provided for
lesbians to network and
educate. Dorf said she was
“pleased with the large lesbian
caucus, as wells as the
demonstrations and the tent
lesbian women were given to
hold any events they wanted.
There were only seven of these
“diversity tents” and lesbian
organisers, who had lobbied
for one all year; were
encouraged by the fact.tha
they were given one. |
According to Dorf, the tent
was “constantly filled,” with
ad-hoc workshops and social
events, 2
~ “It was such a place for an
exchange of ideas and there
were many women who came
just because they wanted to
know more about lesbians,”
she said.
Dorf added that it was
“inspiring to have organised
Our visibility with such
minimal opposition.”
“We left excited about the
presence of and solidarity for
lesbians in the women's
movement,” commented Dorf.
Impossible to ignore
For Dorf, the dynamics at the
Beijing conference reflect the
changes in the women's
movementinthelastien years.
Despite the presence of such
individuals as Hayes and
continued opposition from
Orthodox Catholic and
orthodox Islamic
representatives, Dort asserted
show overt lesbophobia.”
She explained that “There
are still some clear difficulties
with homophobia in the
women’s movement, but it is
changing. It was pretty
amazing how the couple of
incidents of intolerance were
ignored, were hissed at: It was
not an okay position.”
Dorf said that the
-involvementoflesbian women
in reproductive health work,
peace work and women’s issues
makes it difficult to ignore
women’s right to express their
sexual orientation.
She noted that another
important development is the
internationalisation of the
lesbian movement.
The International Gay and
Lesbian Human Rights
Commission released a
document at the conference
entitled “Unspoken Rules:
Sexual Orientation and
~ Women’s Human Rights.” This
is a compilation of stories by
31 lesbian women, from as
many countries, documenting
lesbian life and
marginalisation around the
world,
It is no longer only North
American or European lesbian
women who are speaking out.
Pointing to the growing voice
of African, Asian and Latin
American lesbians, Dorf said
that it is becoming
“impossible” to ignore their
presence.
NOVEMBER 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
© CHALLENGING TH
by Derek Fung
An inte
aggi Rubenstein is a sex
ologist and dean of stu
| L dents at the Institute. for.
the Advanced Study of Sexuality i in.
San Francisco. She was also one of
the first people to Speak out on |
bisexual issues.
In 1976, Rubenstein co founded:
San Francisco’s BiCenter with Harriet
Levy and David Laurier. It.was the
first centre devoted - but not lim-
ited to - bisexuals. There was world-
wide interestin and support for this.
ground-breaking community cen- .
tre, which was the first to provide
counseling services to bisexuals. .
When the rise of AIDS in the early
‘80s forced many people back into
the closet, the BiCenter:lost a size-
able proportion of its membership.
_. Larger community centres and sup-.
port groups, having begun to recog-
nise the existence of bisexuals; ex
panded to meet their needs.:The:
BiCenter eventually closed down in.
1984 due to financial problems and
volunteer burn- ~out.
In 1987, Rubenstein par ticipated
in the creation of the Bay Area Bi-*
sexual Network after an inspirational’.
meeting with the East Coast*
BiNetwork. Today, the BABN pub-:.
lishes Anything that Moves, a maga-)
zine with worldwide distribution °
that is produced by and for bisexu- :
als and their family and friends.
Rubenstein is still a vocal partici-
A ; pant in the bisexual movement and: :
: WaShonouredas Grand Marshall of
ve the LBGT pride parade i in San Fran-:.
: ‘cisco. in 1992. The Daily had the
{à Opportunity to talk with her on July
+183 1995 about. Where the: bisexual.
| movement is now vand how far it has:
come.’ Wed
NOVEMBER 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
Daily:Whatinspired you
to come out in 1970,at
atime when there wasn’t
much to identify with,
: when there wasn’ta real
community? And how did
this lead to the forma-
tion of the BiCenter?
Maggi Rubenstein: The
Stonewall riots against the
police [in 1969, which raised
the issue of discrimination
against queer people] really
made me realise that the is-
sue of sexual rights was go-
ing to have to be addressed
at some point... I’ve started
other organisations, and you
know, why not do something
for bisexuals? [So I asked
myself] “how dol start doing
that?” Well, | gotta put my
ass on the line... [But] “What
can I say? Where do |] say it?
How do | say it? What do |
talk about?”... So, I decided
that the Center was the obvi-
ous place to begin... |
thought, “Gee we should all
join together.”
I didn’t think there would
be such turf issues - “This is
us [lesbians and gays] over
here and that is you [bisexu-
als] over there.” I have had
some people actually say,
“Well, why don’t
you do yon own pa-
rade?” ; “Why
don’t vol Lo over
there and/do your
movement?” Well I
said | don’ t believe | sa
in séparate but |.
equal, J think we alt
neced?to support hey,
each’ other: The fn
more: We are to- [ly
gether,” ‘the, More
parallel we: are)’
aS
You talk apo
how you don’t
like the idea of |
separate but
equal, so what do
you think of the
bicentric move-
mentin Washington D.C.
where they just fight for
bisexual rights?
[ feel that there are some peo-
ple who need to just be with
their own group in order to get
\o/
a sense of power and impor-
tance. Certainly that is hap-
pening in the civil rights and
the women’s rights move-
ment...
I know a lot of people need
to get a power base, get a sense
of their own pride and a sense
of their own community and
to speak from that. I support
that, but] think in the bisexual
movement thatis a rather nar-
row view, because... it is im-
portant to support all people’s
rights. Ifanybody is oppressed,
we are all oppressed and what-
ever the struggle...
[ think sometimes that it
has been easier and more com-
fortable, in a crazy kind of
way, to hang out with the gay
and lesbian community and
push for our rights there, than
to [fight for our rights] in the
general community... There
are a lot of bisexual people;
but being bisexual is not just
about getting it on: There are
some bisexuals thatdon’t want
to think about oracknowledge
the sexual aspect of being bi-
sexual. Some people get too
political, but, well, “Let’s not
talk about the sex part be-
cause we don’t want people to
think thatthe all bisexuals are
obsessed with sex”.
| have; been looking à at athe
too. We’re not all just com-
pletely and absolutely female
or male. We all have female-
ness and maleness in.us; emo-
tionally, intellectually, and
physically sometimes... As
Marjorie Garber says in her
book, Vice Versa, it is a new
way of looking at human sexu-
ality. It turns everything up-
side down.
About this idea of con-
tinuums. Do you see it as
areal scale? Do you think
that we really can put a
scale to sexuality?
don’t want
to put a
scale on
sexuality;
would. rather
not use any la-
bels at all. :Ifwe
were not oppressed, |
we wouldn't need to
use any labels. There*\:
wouldn’t need to have a WY
gay rights movement or ¢
a women’s rights move- ©
ment or a bisexual move-
ment, or any other rights
movement if there wasn’t op-
pression. If everybody ac-
cepted everybody else as they
are and celebrated their
differences as well as their
Similarities, there
wouldn’t be a need for ps
bels.
My feeling is thats the
1 more people understand
that we all fit along [the
/\q continuum] somewhere,
the less people will con-
cL Ne eg ete jtinte!. to” dichotomise,.,
i. Ay
continuum of ender the con-
tinuum of race, the continuum
of sexuality. I think we all fit
on those continuums some-
where. In the transgender com-
munity, I have become more
sensitised to the fact that we
are all along the gender scale
e AK aN
“Even among the bisexual:
4 community, [people say]
2 YOu guys are in the mid-:
1 die.” No. We are... the
Kinsey scale from 1 to 5S...
Garber’s book, Vice
Versa, quoted me as say-
ing that 80 per cent of
| the population could be
| bisexual if we acknowl-
cage our fantasies, our
A eee oir interests, our
crushes. ' normal curves
hold true, then maybe 10
per cent of the population
is totally gay and lesbian and
maybe 10 per cent is totally
heterosexual and maybe eve-
rybody else is potentially
THE MSGILL DAILY SPECIAL ISSUE
E STATUS QUO
vith Maggi Rubenstein
bisexual...
I think a lot of it has to do
with the monogamy bias we
have in this country... All bi-
sexuals are seen as non-mo-
nogamous people, people that
just getitonwith anything,
that moves... The
myths and the
themselves... If people can
see that we are all in this
together, that we are all mul-
tira-~ cial, we are all
os multisexual, that
es &\ we are all
soon multigendered,
that we are all
along these
stereotypes [continu-
about bi- Los eave ee u m sg]
sexu- sis sy RS some-
) ne a we oe where,
ue x then |
abound.
They certainly
abounded in the
'70s: All bisexual peo-
ple can’t make commit-
ments, they are fence sitters,
they can’t make up their
minds, they are sneaky liars.
The monogamous bias [says
that] non-monogamous peo-
ple — and I am a non-mo-
nogamous person — can’t
make serious commit-
ments. | have people in
my life who I have known §
for 20 years and we are
î "
still good friends and get BiA \: À
it on and have a good D | A
& time... PA DE)
“When. people undér.
stand: the: fact: that: most \
people have same-sex feel-\ à
ings and other-sex feel- |:
ings — whether or not | *%
they talk about it or do
anything about it — this
Will help people break
down their prejudice
about bisexuality and
about gay and lesbian
people. | think that if peo-
ple can see that piece of
ity still
THE MSGILL DAILY SPECIAL/ISSUE
og. \ think
that
à)
OPES \
as SL
Aor eaks
down
prejudice,
You were one of
the first outspoken
bisexuals to stand up
for bi rights. What has
»Kepteyou involved with
qe movement for solong?
| think some of the things that
have kept me involved — not
only in, the bisexual commu-
nity but\in the women’s com-
munity, and the lesbian/gay
community — isto look ahead,
to not give up, to not get dis-
couraged}To not agonise, but
organise, To not [resort to]
violence‘and say it is all nOpes
ay UNITY ¥
NA/ LS OUR
BI À
WORD 4
Wt bok 1044
. à
less what is the use. To just
keep struggling and having a
lot of fun. That’s the impor-
tant thing: to have a good time
while you are doing your poli-
tics. You gotta really enjoy it.
You're doing the work you love
to do, and that’s what makes it
work for you, and that is why
people like me and others have
hung in for all these years...
Seeing that you have the
unique perspective of
having seen the bisexual
movement grow from its
birth to whatitisnow,§
can you tell us how it
has changed? Are peo-
à\ ple more receptive to
Ne now? If so, to whatk
CE 4
Officially there is we
much more recognition,
ways, about our sexuality. Peo- |
ple like us [bisexuals] are al-
ways going to be viewed with
Suspicion by someone, the
Jesse Helmses of the world.
The right wing wants to see
bisexual people done away
with in some fashion... In fact,
we are even Seen as more aber-
rant because they believe that
we could make a choice and
have not. But we have made a
choice: We are bisexual.
[wantto talkabout the word
queer for a minute. | like the
word queer, | like it because it
but on a personal level Fi
there is still some resist- &
ance, Gay and lesbian l&
people still have some in- |
ternalised biphobia.
Among bisexual people
therearestill people who À
are trying to figure out
whatit all means. [A com-
mon question is] “Can I
have a relationship with [FA
someone and be monoga-
mous if I am bisexual?” Sure
you can if that is what vou
Want to do, and more.
Do you think that bisexu-
als are really visible yet
in the world?
More so in cosmopolitan ar-
eas, but I still think
that a lot of people
haven’t gotten the
message yet. A lotof
| people don’t read
very much. A lot of
people have a belief
system that is hard
m to challenge, and
this isacountry that
1H promotes Christian-
ity to the Nth de-
gree... This isacoun-
try that promotes
complacency and
discourages people
for challenging so-
Mass values. We
are a nation of
8 iene, in a lot of
is all inclusive. The only thing
that I don’tlike about the word
queer is that some people who
would otherwise call them-
selves bisexual might call
themselves queer as a way of
aligning themselves with the
gay and lesbian community
instead of having to define
who they are, I think it is im-
portant [that] as long as bi-
sexual is a word that people
don't like, we have to speak
out about it, say... “But I am
not just queer, | am a bisexual
queer,”
We will always have to be
spoken about; it will be forgot-
ten about if it isn’t. I want
people to read Marjorie
Garber’s book and I want peo-
ple to read Martin Weinberg’s
book [Dual Attraction], even
though it had some flaws... I
want people to begin to talk to
each other, questioning and
challenging some of the val-
ues that run society, false val-
ues that white is best, that
marriage is best, that mo-
nogamy is best, that hetero-
sexuality is best, and so forth.
Challenge those values...
It’s all about the existential
angst that we all feel inside not
knowing who we are. If we can
come to terms with who we
really are as bisexual people
and not be afraid, then our
lives will work a lot better for
US...
We are raised to distrust
people who are different. That
Starts in daycare centres and
continues through grammar
school and middle school and
high school. Remember those
few years in middle
school? | think
[that's] the toughest
age of all for kids. |
You hit puberty, your
sexual feclings are all
over the place, you
may have some feel-
ings for men, you
may have some feel-
ings for women, you
may act on them, you
may not. Confusing
time. Remember also
AT Chat alot of kids who
eee) con't get support kill
Sage) themselves, or live
sees) lives that don’t work
Ed for them, which tears
M4 up families.
Childhood is when
kids need to get information
about the goodness of sexual-
ity. | think the more informed
a child is, whether they are
gay, lesbian, bisexual,
transgender or straight, the
more informed they get. The
more permission they get, the
better they will be able to make
conscious choices, and the
more assertive they are going
to be in asking for what they
want from a partner instead of
just going along with what their
partner wants, A lot of people
don’t get that support and
sometimes they die.
As advice to future gen-
erations of activists, what
do you think is the best
way to challenge the val-
ues that are in place and
the way society is set-up?
Read, Write, Talk, Act. You can
theorise about a lot of stuff, but
it has to be taken into action.
NOVEMBER 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
# A LOOK BEYOND
TRANSSEXUALITY AND MY CONVERSATION
WITH OLIVIA JENSEN
was sitting in the Faculty
Club a little past 7:00 pm
Wailing for Olivia Jensen, a
McGill Professor. Thinking
Over the questions on
transgender issues which I had
prepared, | didn't notice the
striking woman standing right
in front of me. Very tall and
stately, with an air of self-
confidence, she had, arriving
just before me, gone to put her
things in the coat room.
Introductions out of the
way, we walked into the lounge
and Olivia called up for two
pints of beer. Then we sat down
and began to talk.
And so began one of the
most fascinating = and
entertaining Conversations |
have ever had,
Olivia, who has been
teaching in the department of
geophysics since 1973, has
been known at MeGill both as
A man and a woman. These
days, after undergoing
hormone therapy and sexual-
reassignment surgery (SRS)
In the early ‘90s, Olivia makes
her Way in the feminine form.
Prior to this, Olivia was married
lor 13 years and has two
Children, 13 and 16 vears old.
| asked if the departments
of Engineering and Geophysics
had reacted awkwardly to the
change, Olivia assured me that
everyone had been relatively
accepting,
“My colleagues at McGill
have been proper and good.
[But] they haven't gone out of
their way to
accommodate
me... [IS a very
+ TM i {bh Uh x
discrimination...
It's never
neglected, it is
factored into
Who lam. In a
strange way, it’s
okay, | want
them to factor it
ins) justi = not
negatively,” she
said.
Most people, she said, once
put in the situation of having
to deal with a transsexual,
simply take it in stride.
“l expect to be treated well.
| don’texpect to be humiliated,
discounted, harassed... But it
does happen at some level,”
she said, adding that most
instances have been temporary
with people that she won't see
again,
“(Such instances] are part
of the woodwork of life,” she
noted.
by Derek Fung
| am a transsexual
woman
Transition is an essential part
of adjusting to a new gender
“L want [people]
toreada
transsexual
woman that
commands
immediate
respect. That's
what | want,
that Is the deal I
try to make
with the world. |
don't want to be
hidden.”
role. The process involves
hormone therapy and SRS, The
Harry Benjamin International
Gender Dysphoria Association
has set strict guidelines for
candidates who apply for the
treatment,
These include getting
Written approval from a
certified therapist after atleast
three months of counseling
and living full-time in the
‘| think lesbians, gays, bisexuals,
and transsexual people are the
healthy variations of humanity.
Only some moralists don't like it
and that’s a small reason [for
discrimination],”
sought-after gender for atleast
a year. The association also
specifies that potential
candidates cannot be married.
Once you start transition, you
can turn back, but after
surgery itis next toimpossible.
Like adolescence, transition
isa time tocome to terms with
a Whole new identity. The
process should not be rushed.
“The statement you make
on transition is where you are
going to live in the world,”
Olivia explained.
Many transsexuals want to
NOVEMBER 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
—— ns
change their sex À
and slip into the
mainstream. They
don’t want to be
“read” (that is to
have people Fr
discover that they | 38
have had sex
reassignment),
Olivia, who is
very open about
her transsexuality,
doesn’t share this
view. 2
“Iwant [people] |
to read ar ©
transsexual
woman that
commands].
immediate hos
respect. That's
what I want, thatis
the deal I try to FA
make with the Et
world. Idon’twant #5
to be hidden. That ss
doesn't do Bigeee
anything. That Es
doesn’t make ag
statement, notthat §
Iwantmy life tobe ff
astatementeither, |
really,” she stated, |
“My truth is this, It
isn't that I ama
female woman
Who has finally been fixed.
That's not the issue at all.”
Related to this, is gender
etiquette. One inevitable
question is what terms to use
when addressing transsexuals
—heorshe, Mr. or Ms., manor
woman?
For Olivia,
it’s important
to respect the
Dems Ones
decisions and
refer to their
Diréers ent
gieoned ie rz.
Usually
though, she
said this hasn’t
been a
problem.
“The world
is SO good, so
positive, that even if [people
read me], they know how |
want tobe read, That's gender
etiquette,” she said.
Who's normal?
These days, everyone seems
to be trying to explain
transsexuality and
homosexuality. Some scientists
look for genes and others
compare the size of the
hypothalamus,
But it is important not be
caught up with the ‘norm’.
Normal isn’t necessarily
i eaten ae ee
ieee aoe
pone ee eee
better.“normal is only a
statistical measure. It is only
what most people are doing. It
isn’t good or bad.”
As Olivia observed,
Different sexualities —homo/
bi/transsexuality — arose
naturally. They have evolved as
part of human experience — but
haven't always had an outlet for
expression in society.
“[But lately] the world has
opened the door wider for us... I
think lesbians, gays, bisexuals,
and transsexual people are the
healthy variations of humanity.
Only some moralists don’t like it
and that’s a small reason [for
discrimination],” said Olivia.
She did acknowledge,
“Normal is only a
statistical measure. It
is only what most
people are doing. It
isn’t good or bad.”
me)
(a)
“aia
+ «0
CON
Pm el)
dads....would say that it is
wonderful [to havea transsexual
child]. They would jump to
abortion and that is
disappointing.”
But no one has the right to
take away possibilities for a
person's future, simply
because they are different. It
may justbe that transsexuality,
as well as homo/bisexuality, is
seen as a disease or disorder
by many because they lack
experience with it and are
scared of it.
=ToËfindÆ=acure for
transsexuality means thatitis
bad or a disease. It
[undermines] the evolution of
one’s transsexuality. It would
be a tragedy to me
to remove that
possibility. Itdenies
a future. That is
immoral.”
Despite the lack
of awareness, Olivia
remains positive
and proud of her
transsexuality, “For
along time, I wished
however, that many people still
dismiss transsexuality as
aberrent, She commented that if
à pre-natal screen for
transsexuality were ever
developed, “Not many momsand
| that] had been born
a female, It’s not the
case any more. It’s not the way
I would have liked my past to
have been. | like my past to be
exactly as it was because that
brings me here... exactly where
I should be.”
12 THE MSGILL DAILY SPECIAL ISSUE
Olivia Jensen
PE ont Rass er re Pi ES
sas"
aa free
HELPING THE BODY?
FIT THE MIND
THE SEX REASSIGNMENT PROCESS
by Kevin Siu
n individual who
wishes to undergo sex
reassignment must
follow the guidelines dictated
by the Benjamin Standards.
Initially approved in 1979 at
the Sixth Gender Dysphoria
Symposium, the Benjamin
Standards were intended as a
“statement of the standard of
care to be offered to dysphoric
patients.” The standards have
been widely accepted.
First, the applicant must
obtain the written approval of
a certified therapist after no
less than three months of
consultation. During the year
before the actual sex
reassignment surgery (SRS),
the individual must undergo
Real Life Training, in which
he/she presents himself/
herself full-time in the other
gender role. The presentation
extends itself to previously
unconscious activities such as
bathroom usage and the choice
of title (i.e. Mr., Ms., Mrs., Miss).
During this preparation
period, the individual will also
likely undergo hormone
therapy to prepare the body
for the SRS.
Male to female, female to
male
During the estrogen therapy,
the male-to-female (M2F)
candidate will immediately
experience faster hair and nail
growth, the growth of softer
and thicker hair, and
moodiness as his body adjusts
to the female hormones.
The genetic male will
gradually lose muscle mass
and develop more fat tissue in
the breast and hip areas. The
penis will lose its ability to
function and the testicles will
Shrink. The individual’s sex
drive will also decrease
dramatically. Though the
male’s bone structure and
voice will not be altered,
physically, the applicant will
appear almost completely
female after one or two years.
For female-to-male (F2M)
candidates, androgen therapy
(depo-testosterone is
commonly used) will
immediately induce muscle
growth, particularly in the
chest area. The genetic female
will also experience facial and
body hair growth
accompanied by outbreaks of
the F2M candidate
-acne. Like M2F candidates
undergoing hormone therapy,
will
experience mood swings
during the initial adjustment
period.
After a year of hormone
therapy, the candidate’s voice
will have deepened. The
clitoris will lengthen by about
two inches, and there will be
beard growth and male pattern
baldness. The F2M candidate
will probably have stopped
menstruating. Apart from the
primary sex organ (vagina)
and secondary sex organs
(breasts), the individual will
appear almost completely
male.
Although hormone therapy
can be reversed, some effects
are permanent. Most M2F
candidates are permanently
infertile after six months of
taking estrogen. For F2M
candidates taking androgen,
the facial hair growth and
deepening of the voice are
irreversible. Breast growth is
also permanent. Most other
body changes that occur
during hormone therapy will
disappear eventually if
therapy is discontinued,
Making the move to
surgery
The financial costs of SRS being
so high (between $6 000 and
$50 000), many
transgendered lack the means
to complete the sex
reassignment process. Some
transgendered also find
themselves psychologically
unprepared to face the
irreversibility of the surgery.
For an M2F candidate, SRS
involves four main steps. First,
the testicles are removed. The
penis is then inverted to create
an opening resembling a
vagina. The remaining scrotum
is used to line the opening,
creating a labia. Finally, a
portion of the penile tissue is
restructured to form the
clitoris. The nerve endings
from the penis are left intact
so that the transsexual is
capable of having orgasms.
For a F2M candidate, the
procedure is more complex,
requiring surgery on both the
primary and secondary sex
Organs, First, the individual
must undergo a double
mastectomy. Both breasts are
THE MSGILL DAILY SPECIAL ISSUE
removed, but the nipples are
retained and repositioned.
This procedure can be
performed during the
preparation period. After at
least a year, the candidate can
undergo the hysterectomy, in
which the uterus, ovaries and
fallopian tubes are removed,
New procedures forcreating
a penis are being developed,
but phalloplasty and
metoidioplasty are currently
the most common.
Metoidioplasty involves using
the enlarged clitoris as the
basis for the penis. It is a less
complex and less expensive
procedure than phalloplasty.
However, because the resulting
penis is only about two inches
long, metoidioplasty is not
feasible for penile penetration.
The second option ‘is
phalloplasty. After a period ot
electrolysis on the abdomen;
the skin.the.area is used ta
form a-tube of skin. Because
the clitoris is positioned
underneath the resulting
penis, sexual stimulation is still
possible but not easy.
A more extensive form of
phalloplasty involves the
transplant of a forearm nerve
into the skin tube. Running
into the nerves of the clitoris,
the transplanted nerve allows
a wide range of sensation, To
erect the constructed penis
after phalloplasty, there are a
number of pumps and inserts
that vary in effectiveness.
Gender definition
After SRS, the transsexual must
continue hormone treatment
for the rest of his/her life.
Although certain effects of
hormones are permanent, if a
transsexual stops therapy, his/
her features will largely return
to their original state. Some
transsexuals, in particular M2F
transsexuals, attend finishing
schools after surgery to
improve their adoption of the
chosen gender role,
The sex reassignment
procedure — the preparation,
surgery, and post-operation
considerations — raises many
questions. The Benjamin
Standards were developed
partially in response to the
high correlation between
suicide and sex reassignment
during the period when SRS
Was first introduced.
However, there are
objections in the transgender
community to the stringent
guidelines imposed by the
Benjamin Standards.
Arguments are increasingly
being made over the right of
transsexuals to determine for
themselves when they are
ready for surgery.
The debate also questions
whether the medical
establishment should dictate
the behaviour and lifestyle of
sex reassignment candidates
during the preparation period.
Some feel that being required
to act a certain way (i.¢. take
on a dictated gender role)
reinforces socially defined
distinctions between males
and females that may not be
valid toa particular individual.
As surgery edges closer to
being able to fully reconstruct
the body, the legal and health
care implications also become
more salient. When is an
individual considered legally
and medically one sex or the
other?
INTERNATIONAL
Queer
ew Zealand gets first
transsexual mayor
Georgina Beyer was elected
as the first transsexualk
ayor of the Wiararapa
ownship in New Zealand.
cuts
There have been other
examples of transsexual
politicians. One of Canada’s
own transsexual politicians
was forced to resign after
threats of violence.
Asking whether gender
distinction is important in the
first place emphasises the fact
that transgender issues go
beyond just the sex
reassignment procedure. As
social perceptions of gender
roles continue to shift, the
process of the mind trying to
understand the body becomes
a process of helping the body
fit the mind.
Sources for this article
include: The New Yorker, July
A) Uy 1994, the
ali. transgendered newsgroup
and the most recent draft of
the Benjamin Standards.
nade
the
rans ge
rganisations in
ontréal area:
FACT-Quebee
Fact,c/o Mrs. Patricia Fishes
Box 293, Cote-des-Neiges
ost Office
5858 Cote-des-Neiges Blvd.
Montréal 13S 256
Fact-Québec is a support
:roup for transsexuals, their
Jartners, relatives, friends and
yrofessionals in the field. Fact-
Juébec can also provide
speakers to the public.
Club Met
4113 Dorion St.
Montreal H2K 3B8
528-8874
Club Met is a non-sexual
support eroup for
ransgendered and their
Jartners. Club Met also
Jublishes its own news
nagazine.
Putting the heat on Costa
Rica
The Magnus Hirschfeld|
Center for Human Rights has
filed acomplaint with the Inter-
American Commission on
Human Rights against Costa
Rican police and media
harrassing queer people,
The commission has a
mandate to enforce the
American Convention on
Human Rights, an agreement
between countries in South
and North America. making
its decisions have the force
of law,
NOVEMBER 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
8 Hate legislation visits
by Meredith Cohen
ou are walking down
the street clad in fire
engine red bell-bot-
toms. Shocking is the
word. Fiendish. Apparently
someone perceives your vin-
lage style as a bit too subver-
sive and offensive for this black
and white world. This some-
one, in a gallant act, rallies up
bunches of friends to protect
this world and its posterity
from this most garish display.
Organisations form (ooh),
platforms form (ahh), and with
incredulous heads whirling,
agendas form (gasp). Sud-
denly, out vapid hatred and
disgust, anamendmentis born.
Itlegislates this hatred by con-
structing legal barriers to all
and any members of
bellbottom donning clan. If
you partake in this heinous
crime, then you will have no
Se A
ability to seek legal repercus-
sion if you are discriminated
against or even physically
harmed. The new legislation
prevents you from doing so.
Surely Colorado's Amend-
ment 2 is much different; but
itis also quite similar. Replace
queer human with human in
bellbottoms, and the similari-
ties will be striking, garish
even. lam not certain which is
more ludicrous,
A powerful signal
Soon alter its birth, Amend-
ment 2, the brainchild of the
organisation Colorado for
Family Values, went straight
to the Colorado court system
Where it was repealed as un-
constitutional based on its
breach of the First Amend-
ment. Just as quickly, however
itwas appealed and sent to the
Supreme Court where it was
heard on October 10.
NovemBer 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
the
Vigils, rallies,
press conferences
and teach-ins
dominated the
Colorado. land-
scape; and that of
many otherstates,
the day before the
Supreme Court
Hearing,
The Amend-
ment, reproduced
above, was.a first
of many attempts
by the radical
right to besiege
local and state
governments. It
has recently been
followed by simi-
lar initiatives in
Maine, and will be
attempted in
Idaho and Oregon
in 1996.
Should the Su-
preme Court re-
peal the Colorado
court decision,
any member of
the queer community — les-
bian, gay, or bisexual — resid-
ing in the state of Colorado
Will be stripped of any ability
to seek legal redress for dis-
crimination or anti-gay vio-
lence.
This would set a precedent
of singling out one specific
group and drastically limiting
their legal and political power.
Aruling such as this would not
only be detrimental to the
queer community, but to the
civil rights movement in gen-
eral,
According to Melinda Paras,
executive director of the Na-
tional Gay and Lesbian Task
AM ENDMENT 9
Neither the State of Colt
through any branches or departments,
nor any of its agencies, political sub-
divisions, municipalities or school
districts, shall enact, adopt, or en-
force any statute, regulation, ordi-
nance or policy whereby homosexual,
lesbian, or bisexual orientation, con-
duct, practices or relationships shall
constitute or otherwise be the basis of
or entitle any person or class of per-
sons to have or claim any minority
status, quota preferences, protected
status, or claim discrimination.
Force, “Amendment 2 doesn’t
just impact Colorado, As al-
ways a Supreme Court hear-
ing sends a powerful signal. In
this case the court can stand
in defense of equal participa-
tion and fair play for all, or it
can codify discrimination
against a targeted group. If
the Supreme Court overturns
the repeal, it will be hailed by
the radical right as justifica-
tion for ongoing efforts in
other states.”
“Special rights” unde-
fined
Do all Americans have the
THE
samerighttobe
a part the na-
tion’s democ-
racy? Thisisthe
question which
the Supreme
Court will an-
swer, when it
hands down its
decision some-
time between
January and
June,
Those who
support
Amendment 2
contend that
through gay
rights legisla-
tion, the queer
seeking “spe-
cial rights”. But
when asked to
specify the
“special rights”
being sought,
Gale Norton, at-
torney-general
of Colorado re-
plied, “We don't really know
exactly.”
She did, however, offer the
example of work quotas which
would force anti-gay groups
into hiring queer individuals.
This could be construed as the
accusation of “special rights”.
The lack of an adequate
definition for what the “spe-
cial rights” in question are,
formed an important part of
the defense as it violated the
“rational basis” of the amend-
ment. The defense highlighted
the fact that dislike is not a
rational basis for discrimina-
tory treatment in the face of
the law.
Reuicious Alen
ce SAILS ()N
community is.
the US Supreme Court
Suzanne _B. Goldberg, staff
attorney at Lambda Legal
Defense and Education Fund,
which along with the Ameri-
can Civil Liberties Union
worked to defend the Colo-
rado Supreme Court injunc-
tion of Amendment 2, said
“Amendment 2 is an outra-
geous violation of the Consti-
tution, and sets out to erect
special barriers for the queer
community.”
It is not always accurate to
predict the outcome of a hear-
ing based on its oral argu-
ments. But court observer
Kevin Sherrill says he expects
the decision to support the
original injunction ruled by
the Colorado Supreme court.
A ruling in favour of the
injunction would be a good
one for the civil rights move-
ment in the US. In the ’60s,
similar legislation was used to
limit the representation of Af-
rican-Americans.
A ruling against the amend-
ment would also be positive
for the Queer Community by
sending a signal to the radical
right that their legal attempts
are unconstitutional.
It will also provide legal
precedent for the “Don’t ques-
tion, Don’t tell” policy of the
military that is expected to be
heard by the Supreme Court
next year.
For those objecting to
Amendment 2, things look
hopeful. But the forces pro-
posing such legislation are just
as confident. In his resigna-
tion statement, the former di-
rector and founder of Colo-
rado for Family Values stated
“The passion of protecting our
children, our lives and, our
future from homosexual ag-
gression burns deeply within
me.” It could be a close battle.
z \ia/ THE MSGILL DAILY SPECIAL ISSUE
: SSeS 1 =
Whydo we need a gaygene?
Taking a closer look at the nature vs. nurture debate
S scientists search for
a biological
explanation for
homosexuality, many express
concern about the necessity
of locating a “gay gene” —
and the possible
consequences arising
therefrom,
As recently as 1974,
homosexuality was listed by
the American Psychiatric
Association as a mental
disorder. Even today, more
thanafewwould characterize
it as ‘deviant’ behaviour at
best, willful evil at worst.
As such, the possibility of
discovering biological proof
that homosexuality is a
naturally occurring trait has
been welcomed by some
members of the LBGT
community,
However, some object to
the direction of recent
Studies, saying they don’t
need “justification” for being
pay,
Investigative research on
the topic has encompassed
everything from DNA linkage
to tracing fingertip ridges.
Dr. Simon LeVay, a
neuroanatomist at the Salk
Institute in La
California, has been noted
for his studies comparing.”
brain size in deceased AIDS
Victims.
LeVay claimed to have
discovered innate biological
differences when he found
notable discrepancies in the
sizes of the hypothalomi of
homosexual and
heterosexual men.
Significant evidence has
shown, however, that the
experience of an individual
can affect and alter brain
development. As such, many
question his assertion that
the difference in brain
Structure is a cause, rather
than an effect, of
homosexuality.
Above all, the biggest
shortfall of LeVay’s study was
the fact that all the subjects
were dead, making a clear
assertion of their sexuality
impossible,
And the
shows...
Research looking into the
possible genetic aspect of
homosexuality has yielded
more plausible results.
In 1991, researchers
Michael Bailey and Richard
Pillard discovered the high
probability (52 per cent) of
research
Jolla, .
by Mera Thompson
one identical twin being
homosexual if the other one
Was.
They also uncovered
similar findings that were
lower, but still significant, for
non-identical twins, non-twin
siblings and adopted
brothers (22, 9, and 11
percent, respectively).
But several questions were
raised by their findings.
Firstly, if homosexuality
were exclusively. linked to
genetic make-up then
identical twins — who share
allofthe same genes — would
both be homosexual or
heterosexual all of the time.
secondly, the fact that
adopted brothers were more
likely to both be gay than
non-twin siblings, supports
the theory that environment
and upbringing may have
more to do with sexual
arientation than genetics.
Dr. Dean Hamer and
colleagues from the American
National Institute of Health
performed DNA analysis on
gay brothers. They found a *
significant linkage betiveen
homosexual orientation and
markers in a region of the X
Chromosome, known asXq28,
wasdetected in 82.5per cent
“of ‘examined homosexual!
brothers.
Discarding the slight
probability that such co-
inheritance happened by
Chance alone (approximately
l per cent), the report
concluded that “it appears
that Xq28 contains a gene
that contributes to
homosexual orientation in
males.”
Dr. Hamer himself does not
see his study as tantamount
to the discovery of what
“causes” homosexuality.
“Sexual orientation is too
complex to be determined by
a single gene. The main value
of this work is that it opens a
window into understanding
how genes, the brain and the
environmentinteract to mold
human behaviour,” Hamer
explained. |
Yet to be determined, is
exactly howa gene may effect
sexual orientation: directly,
by shaping specific parts of
the brain, or indirectly,
affecting temperament that
predisposes a boy towards
homosexuality.
Equal rights or excuses?
Reactions to this trend of
scientific research have been
gay ‘gene.
mixed, both in and outside of
the queer community.
Robert Bray, head of public
information for the National
Gay and Lesbian Task Force,
Was encouraged by these
studies. “It points out that
gay people are made this way
by nature. It strikes at the
heart of people who oppose
gay rights and who think we
don’t deserve our rights
because we're choosing to be
the way we are.”
Gregory iT’ King,
spokesman for the Human
Rights Campaign, Fund in
Washington, D.C., concurs.
“Fundamentally, it [genetic
research] increases our
understanding of the origins
of sexual orientation, and at
the same time we believe it
will help) increase-public
support for lesbian and gay
rights.” |
‘Others, like David
D'Andrea, anactive member
of Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and ”
Transgender Students of
McGill (LBGTM), fault the”
research movementfor being
a defensive maneuveron the
_ partof the queer community.
~ssUsing the studies to prove
that homosexuals are normal
functioning hümans, there is
—an almost apologetic tone to
their findings,” he said;
He said’ the general:
population: should just learn
to “live with. it [the reality
that homosexuals exist],”
7 D'Andrea dismissed those
who, believe that locating a
would erase
prejudice against
homosexuals. “Using that
argument, there would be no».
discrimination against blacks
and other. ethnic groups or
people with diseases,” he said.
“I find it worrisome that
this seems to be feeding into
a societal trend, with people
using [the research] to justify
their own prkjudices, ” he
added.
“If that’s the way we're
born...” |
Many people worry that the
genetic research will be
interpreted as justification,
Or an excuse, for being
homosexual.
Darrell Yates Rist, in à
recent New York Times
article, stated that he: had
once used the “born that way”
defense as an olive branch
for his parents, who “wanted
to exonerate themselves for
creating a home that might
be thought by some to have
contributed to perversion,”
There is still a lot of
ambivalence about research
trends which may provide a
genetic “excuse” for
homosexuality. Some gay
rights leaders have
denounced studies such as
Dr. Hamer’s as “yet another
attemptaatos Mara ven a
reductionist and implacable
line between homosexuality
and heterosexuality.”
John Fisher, executive
director of Equality for Gays
and Lesbians Everywhere
(EGALE), went as far as’to
state that such research is
“irrelevant to any purposes
[his] organization has.”
But scientists such as
LeVay, who himself is gay,
claim to/have ventured into
biological and genetic
research in order to make
society more accepting of
homosexuality.
“If it’s shown that that’s
~the way we're born, it would
undercut-the idea that we're
just misbehaving,”. LeVay
said.
Fisher, ~ however,
questioned what:effect such
—-résearch Would have on those
who strongly _ resist
acknowledging homosexuals.
as equal human beings. “I *
shave limited confidence that
~itwill:change anyone’s ideas
if they:-are- steadfastly
opposed to homosexuality.”
Still, some continue to
believe that the research will
help the gay and lesbian
community, if only in their
legal maneuverings within
the justice system.
In a 1993 press release
from the National
Organization of Gay and
Lesbian Scientists and
Technical . Professionals
(NOGLSTP), they reiterated
theirhopes thatinthe debate
over same-sex marriages, for
example, discrimination}
based on a genetically
immutable ‘trait would be
ruled a civil rights violation
on a minority group.
In search of a “cure”?
Rist, who is also co-founder
of the Gay and Lesbian
Alliance Against Defamation,
remains uninterested insuch
studies. “Intellectually, what
do we gain by finding out
there’s a gay gene? Nothing
except an alttemptto identify
those people who have it and
then open them up to all
DAILY GRAPHIC BY MAX FRANCISCO
sorts of experimentation to
change them.”
D'Andrea agreed. “The
scary thingis not the research
--it’show it’s being used and
interpreted,” he said,
Indeed, anxieties
regarding the ethical
questions arising from the
location of a gay gene have
been the dominant concern
during the course of the
research.
The prospects of screening
fetuses for genetic traits, and
the possibility that marriage
or childbearing might be
restricted to “genetically
desirable” people have
alarmed the LBGT
communily.
AclivistS stress the
importance of avoiding
potential geneticenginecring
and the science ofattempting
ta “fix” homosexuality,
perhaps through gene
therapy or similar methods.
One all gay activist with
the Traditional Values
Coalition was somewhat
encouraged by thesuggestion
that homosexuality may be
biologically based, believing
that medicine and science
should now seek to
genctically alter lesbian, gay,
and bisexual people.
Sois homosexuality caused
by a specific gene? Or does it
stem from upbringing,
environment and individual
personality? Perhaps a
combination of all of these
points? The consensus seems
to be that it’s up to us all to
decide for-ourselves.
But perhaps.itcan best be
summed up by John Fisher’s
response when asked what
he thought causes
homosexuality. “I can’t
explain itand | don’t feel that
I need to.”
THE MSGILL DAILY SPECIAL ISSUE ( 15 ) NOVEMBER 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
&
8 THE QUESTION OF EQUALITY?
By Meredith Cohen
‘ omosexuality can
happen to you. It can
happen to anyone.
What will you do if your
parents find out? And they
Will find out because you will
get caught. If someone else
does not catch you, then you
Will be caught by your own
mind.”
Imagine that the year is
1966. You and your peers are
assembled in a school
auditorium and a man stands
before you, He is not a
preacher, but he is preaching
and this is what you are
hearing. If you were an
American youth in 1966, it
could have happened to you.
Imagine that you are queer
in 1995 and some Reverend
tclls you that reparative
therapy could help rectify your
gender identity problem. After
all, that’s what homosexuality
is—a gender identity problem
and therapy has helped
thousands geton the “straight”
and narrow path. It could
happen to vou. I may have. It
happened to Lyn Duffin in
LOO lima Wi Ole tte liSae was
institutionalised by her mother
after she told her that she was
ore te
nme SOR eR ey
a lesbian. Lyn ran away.
But her story is told, along
With many others, Amongst
Stories mclipsmMof#iriots:
interviews, anti-queer
propaganda and court trials,
Hollow Liberty and Generation
(2 , the first two productions
in, The Question of Equality, a
series of hour-long
documentaries, weave an
intricate tapestry of history.
Together and separately, they
present a collage of modern
queer Culture and history.
Through examination of the
ship USS Norton Controversy
and the notorious Hardwick
case, Hollow Liberty implies
that itis a series of events that
were collectively part of an
upward climb,
The chronology begins in
1980, the year that women
were first allowed to serve in
active duty in the navy. Norton
was one of the first integrated
ships. What ensued was awitch
hunt of sorts, Of the 68 women
crew members, 40 were
removed for questioning and
subjected to psychological
testing. 24 women were
eventually “honourably”
discharged. No hard evidence
Was ever documented to prove
their performance was
inadequate. In many ways the
nine
4 .
Titre
FAN HE phréid sait US
mari bred Wed i seri rit ek.
Generation Q
INTERNATIONAL
Queer cuts
Zimbabwe goes
another step too far
Zimbabwe MP Acneas
Chigwedere said that “[Gay
people are] like tuberculosis
patients, they should be
hibernated [sic] in anisolation
hospital until they are treated.”
This statement was made in
support of a motion made by
President Robert Mugabe's
anti-gay Campaign.
Mugabe has been attacking
queer people since August 1,
when the Gay and Lesbians of
Zimbabwe were banned from
a state funded book fair.
NOVEMBER 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
Hollow Liberty and Generation Qat
Image & Nation festival
incident served as the
harbinger to the current plea,
still pending, for the rights of
gays and lesbians to serve in
the military.
The 1980 outrage was
closely followed by another in
1982, when Georgian resident
Michael Hardwick was arrested
for sodomy after a policeman
barged into his bedroom and,
as they say, caught him in the
act. What sounds more like a
farce actually did occur. In a
crowd-pleasing moment
(granted the audience was a
bit biased, and perhaps the
reaction would have been
different had we been
members of the moral
majority), then-Attorney
General of Georgia Bowers
says, in a thick Georgian
accent, “I believe the ‘sodomy
rules’ serve the morality of the
people.”
The accompanying vintage
anti-homosexual propaganda
from the ‘50s and ‘60s is even
more amusing (“he was a
healthy and athletic boy, he
played football and he wanted
to grow up to be areal man.”),
Also featured is a short army
propaganda film overflowing
with homo-erotic
undercurrents. The irony is
cleverly placed.
Hollow Liberty is not a joke,
however, and poignant scenes
of police brutality are
interspersed with a clip of
Bowers stating with all the glee
that hisaccentcan muster that
gays are no less second class
citizens than individuals who
commit rape or incest.
Juxtaposed is footage of
President Clinton, shown in a
campaign speech saying that
he would be lifting the military
ban, and then shown in his
speech during the first months
of his presidency saying that
Tokyo has its second
pride parade
2 200 marched in the
second gay-pride parade in
Tokyo, Japan. The march
wound through the streets of
the Shibuya neighborhood.
Parade coordinator Kayoko
Shirakawa said it was
important for the parade to
“be political, not just about
having fun,”
The day after the parade,
NOLL :
the ban would remain in place.
Generation Q recounts a
group of Massachusetts
teenagers’ efforts to pass a bill
protecting queer students
against discrimination in
schools. This video centers
around interviews with the
teenagers and with another
group of queer youth that
attend the Eagle Center, a
school in Los Angeles.
The school was founded by
Jerry Batty to provide a safe
place of education for lesbian
and gay students who would
have otherwise dropped out
of school due to discrimination
and harassment by their
former peers. Ina particularly
funny scene, a lesbian couple
at the school is hosting a radio
show. A Reverend Sheldon calls
and comments that all queer
culture centers around sex.
One of the women answers,
toto
the prime minister’s office
released the results of a poll
saying that an overwhelming
majority of Japanese citizens
disapproved of anti-gay
discrimination and
discrimination against HIV-
positive people.
In the streets of
Verona...
5 000 queers marched
through the streets of Verona
With great aplomb, “I’m
here with my girlfriend
tonight to do this show,
and I’m speaking with
you, and I’m not
fornicating as well.”
From fornicating in
| the bedroom to not
/ fornicating at a radio
station, Hollow Liberty
and Generation Q
create a provocative
synthesis. While the first video
leaves the viewer beguiled by
the lunacy of rampant
injustice, the second video
offers a more optimistic
picture of the strength of
progressive youth,
In Hollow Liberty, U.S.
Congressman of Massachusetts
Barney Frankstates “The queer
community is doubly plagued
with legal discrimination and
cultural pulverisation. This
occurs to such an extent that
‘coming out’ is a political act;
in fact anything we do that is
culturally expressive is
considered a political act.”
If thisis true, and! do believe
it is, then the achievement of
these films is two-fold as well.
They recuperate some of what
is lost and buried of our history
and accomplishments, and
bring us together to viewthem,
In your face, Bowers.
wht des
: ‘ ; t
Mi ir SRE
Michael Hardwick, from Hollow Liberty
in protest of the Catholic
dominated City.Council's
resolution that calls
homosexuality a “depraved
behavior”. The march was
organised by the Arcigay-
Arcilesbica and the Verona Gay
and Lesbian Movement. The
City Council’s resolution was
made in response to the
European Parliament’s
resolution urging all European
Union member nations to grant
queers equality.
THE MSGILL DAILY SPECIAL ISSUE
=. ln. un € mt =-
à _—
ES ee CPU msn =
Father, brother, teacher, friend ée
anonymous
efore this past July, I believed myself to
be an open-minded straight girl with a
“normal” straight life. I was — and still
am — a social person with lots of good friends,
two of whom! can relate to on all levels and call
my best friends. I love being involved in soci-
ety, and this past summer — quite randomly,
in fact — I decided to fight any and all
homophobia I came into contact with;
Although I lived in what I knew was a
relatively sheltered, straight world, [had some
gay acquaintances and realised that
homophobic behaviour was still accepted and
even encouraged by too many people. I de-
cided to expose myself to gay literature and
film and promised to “get to know as many gay
people as possible so I could better under-
stand their culture.”
Before I make it sound like lam condemning
myself for my own naiveté, allow me to assure
you that I have no problem with what my
attitude was this summer. On the contrary, |
believe that it was my interest in sexuality, gay
culture and gay rights that encouraged one of
my closest friends, Bill, to come out to me one
day in July.
Nothing could have made me feel more
honoured and touched than his trust in me
and I was genuinely happy that he came out.
The experience which has so greatly influ-
enced me and shaped my attitudes however, is
not this one, but an incident that occurred the
by Jen Mooney
ost of the coming-out stories I have
heard are about a queer rejected by
her/his family and friends, The indi-
vidual is left alone to deal with the anxiety,
depression and pain of not being the status-
quo “heterosexual.”
While this is the sad truth for many
people, I was fortunate that this is not my
story. For me, coming out was one of the
most self-affirming, beautiful and liberat-
ing experiences of my life. |
Like many queers, I assumed I was straight
for the majority of my life, though growing up
within a liberal family and among liberal
peers, | had never had a problem with homo-
sexuality,
Bisexuality, however, was another story.
| remember being 14 and arguing with my
father about whether or not bisexuality was
“real.” He, like many straight and gay peo-
ple, felt that you had to be one or the other;
I argued fiercely against this, without ever
questioning why I felt so passionately. about
bisexuality.
From theory:to,reality |
In Montreal — which was relatively accepting,
compared to therepressed, conservative town:
in which I spent most.of my. life — ]'began to
explore what it would be like to kiss another
woman. te BARTS RE Bo
I eventually got up the courage to.do-so;
and I started accepting that I could find other.
women sexually attractive.
Harbouring jan ‘unrequited: crush on’ a.
woman in one of my classes,,] looked deep
within to find out why my feelings for this:
woman were “different”: from: those:] had
following day.
One of the two best friends I mentioned
earlier is a guy I'll call Dan, who I had been in
love with for.well.over a year. I do not use the
term best friend lightly, and honestly felt, and
still feel, that Dan is my perfect match.
We have been best friends for more than
three years and havea relationship made up of
intense conversations and ‘concern for each
other. Although I could not understand why
we were not going out, I knew without a doubt
that there was no one who was nearly as close
to him as I was.
Having said all that, there was one thing! did
not know about Dan until July, less than four
months ago today. On a beautiful summer
night in Toronto's College Park, in a conversa-
tion charged with emotions and filled with
tears, Dan told me he was gay. I suddenly
found myself caught in a situation in which I
would never have wished to find myself, but
Which has shaped my attitudes more than any
other experience in my life.
Nothing hurts more than not being able to
have the person you love, and the pain and
shock I went through was one of the most
difficult. experiences of my life. What is more
important now, however, is that nothing has
changed between Dan and I since he came out.
I finally understand everything about him
and no longer need to wonder why we are so
perfectly matched. and yet not going out to-
COMING OUT...
gether, There is nothing different about him or
about us now, which brings me back to reflect
upon my original mission — to “get to know
more gay people so I could better understand
their culture.” It makes me laugh when I think
of my statement now, but | guess sometimes
one is too close to a situation to see it clearly.
| do not think I realised how true it is to say
that gay people are your co-workers, your
doctors, your friends, your children. Although
| knew of my gay classmate, my gay professor
and my gay colleague, I perceived my own little
sheltered world as straight. | would never have
thought the person | consider to be most
similar to me, who | love the most in the world,
to be gay.
By knowing a gay individual, | do not neces-
sarily understand gay culture. Furthermore, if
I knew twenty gay people, I would not likely be
able to classify them as a uniform group of
people. This is the naiveté that I possessed
before and that [laugh at now.
I wanted to know what gay people were like
and to discover how interesting | thought they
must be. In reality, ] would find as much
diversity, if not more, in this culture as in any
other.
Homophobia is a fear of homosexuals, a
fear of someone who is too different to
accept, When you open your eyes, the reality
is that there is no fundamental difference at
all.
AND BEING ACCEPTED
for other women. | realised — with surprise
— that I wanted to get to know her, to ask her
outon areal “date,” and to see if a relation-
ship could develop.
This thought terrified me. It signaled an
awakening I knew could not be silenced or
ignored. What would my boyfriend think? My
family and friends? What about the marriage
and kids that I’d always wanted?
So much for having “no problem” with queer
sexuality! What the fuck was I going to do?
An ear to listen
The logical answer was to seek out people who
had the same feelings that! did, sol went to the
LBGM (now LBGTM) office’ for the Peer
Counseling I had seen advertised.
There I was, welcomed by a non-judgmen-
tal counselor who advised me that LBGM was
a place where I wouldn’t be asked to label my
sexuality unless I wanted to. 1 started going
to the biand women’s discussion groups and
finally found other people who felt the same
angst and-attractions that 1 did,
I was relieved and overjoyed atthe variety of
people ‘in. the: queer. community, My naïve
preconception of what it meant to be “queer”
was shattered very quickly, and] realised that
being queer was whatever J wanted it to be.
[ started coming out to my friends, boy-
friend and siblings, all of whom were amaz-
ingly accepting. 1 — like many queers — was
so afraid that people would desert me when
they knew THE: TRUTH. Luckily it didn't
happen, Letting people I: loved see this part
of'me helped to further my own self-accept-:
“ance: GY
THE MSGILL DAILY SPECIAL ISSUE (177 NOVEMBER 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
Subtle hint...
The only people left were my parents — ack!
I’ve always had a very intimate and open rela-
tionship with my parents about everything
except sex. | knew telling them was something
had to do as the final stage of my coming out.
| kept putting it off untilone day my mother
found my copy of The Penguin Book of Lesbian
Short Stories. That weekend, | asked my par-
ents if I could talk to them about “something
important.” They, my sister Maureen and |,
gathered on their big bed — the location of all
of our important family talks.
After beating around the bush for a while, |
finally said the words “I’m bisexual.”
[was shocked at my physical reaction. Burst-
ing into tears, | cried out, “I can’t believe I've
finally told you.”:1 immediately felt myself
being embraced by my mother and my sister,
and my father held my hand. | silently thanked
“God” (despite my agnosticism) and knew then
“that “everything would be alright.”
My identity
This:is hardly the end of my story. My straight
boyfriend andihave had an extremely difficult
time trying to deal.with my bisexuality.
I question myself all the time'and still buy
into the idea that I have to be either gay or
straight. ] often wish I could “go back” to being
straight or else devote myself to being a “true”
dyke. 2
Now I’m carving out my own definition of
what bisexual means for me. Although my life
is definitely more complicated, itis much richer
than before 1 came out. Jam living my life the
only way | can-~ my way.
8 Little ¢;.
Imost one year and over
a quarter of a million
dollarsin expenses later,
Little Sisters Bookstore in
Vancouver is still waiting to
hear the verdict in its case
against Canada Customs,
The precedent-setting
court case in which Little Sis-
ters challenged the right of
Customs Lo seize so-called ‘ob-
scene’ literature was heard in
the BC Supreme Court from
October to December 1994,
Little Sisters, Which carries
literature for Vancouver's gay,
lesbian, bisexual and
transgendercommunities, has
had its shipments seized re-
peatedly
since 1985, {&
The confis-
cated arti- a
cles some- |,&
times in- à
cluded pub- |
lications al-
lowed into
mainstream
bookstores,
Little Sis-
ters decided
lo take ac-
lion — last
vear, Fed up
with having
to chailenge
each seizure Se
On a case by case basis, the
store is questioning the legal-
ity of Customs’ powers of de-
lainment,
The store argued that Cus-
toms’ use of the term “ob-
scenity” is unclear and
critcised Customs for target-
Ing gay and lesbian authors
and bookstores while being
more tolerant of heterosexual
literature,
According to Kim Mistysyn,
from the Glad Day bookstore
in Toronto, one of the big
problems is that Customs of-
licials receive little training
in pornography and free
speech issues. The only guid-
ance they are given is a two
hy -
hour seminar on literature.
During the triallast year, many
Witnesses from Customs ad-
mitted to this scanty training
and still others said they found
homosexuality “repulsive,”
“Customs obviously does
not have the experience or edu-
cation to deal with books. They
have repeatedly demonstrated
their inability to keep things
consistent, ‘” declared
Mistysyn.
The mistakes are revealing,
Mistysyn pointed to a recent
mishap surrounding the veg-
etarian cookbook The Politics
of Meat. Border guards glanced
at the cover, assumed the book
depicted gay sex, and seized
it.
“They would have realised
if they had read a little of the
book like they are supposed
to,” noted Mistysyn.
And then there is the dou-
ble standard. Books depicting
gay sex are routinely detained,
Whereas literature involving
heterosexual sex is allowed
through without any difficulty.
According to Fuller,
Gay Sex was seized, while the
heterosexual equivalent, The
Joy of Sex, can be found on the
shelves of virtually any Cana-
INTERNATIONAL
Queer cuts
Potential victory in New
South Wales
The state of New South
the state cabinet with a series —
of reforms that will recognise
Same-Sex couples and trans-
Wales, Australia, might be the | gecxuals:
next region to approve same=*
sex unions. is
Jeff Shaw, New South Wales
attorney-general, will présents |
Says Shaw, “Society ‘has.
changed, and the community
is ready to accept that rela-
tionships as to be dealt tions at the United Nations
NOVEMBER 13 NOVEMBRE, 1995
The Joy of
lers s Ol q
dian bookstore.
Customs officials also rou-
tinely target independent
bookstores while large chains
such as Cole's are left alone.
Mistysyn attributes this to the
fact that border guards do not
have time to look through the
entire order of large shipments
going to major chains.
Independent bookstores
cannot afford to import books
in bulk and suspicious offi-
cials are care-
ful to search
Bi the shipments
headed for
stores such as
| Glad Day or Lit-
| tle Sisters. Just
| last year, Glad
Day’s shipment
of the famous
American au-
thor Samuel
Delany’s book
a) Madman was
eee! scized, while
Se | che Cole’s down
| the street re-
ceived its cop-
Sa ies without any
difficulty,
Fuller commented that
other marginalised groups
have also been systematically
targeted recently. Pointing to
problems with prominent US
feminist bell hooks’ last work,
Fuller said she believes Cus-
toms is beginning to “widen
its scope” of censorship be-
yond gay and lesbian books to
include the literature of femi-
nists and people of colour.
But this phenomenon is not
limited to Customs Canada.
The attack against gay, les-
bian, feminist literature has
taken a new voice since 1992,
when a Supreme Court of
Canada ruling classified ‘de-
with equitably, whether they
are based on marriage or oth-
crwise.”
In support of transsexuals,
Shaw hopes to extend the pro-
tection of the state’s Anti-Dis-
crimination Act, as well as in-
troduce a proposal to allow
transsexuals to change their
gender on their birth certifi-
cates.
Argentina’sroleinWom-
en's Conference criticised
_in Buenos Aires
Members of Lebianas a la
Vista marched in protest of
the Argentinean government's
support of anti-lesbian posi-
liant
BOOKSTORES FACE
ARBITRARY HARASS-
MENT AT BORDER
By Andrea Mason
grading’ and ‘dehumanising’
sexual expression as criminal
obscenity. That decision has
been used continually by offi-
cials and judges to declare that
homo-erotic expression is de-
grading as well.
In a recent interview with
the Advocate, Bruce Walsh of
the anti-censorship coalition
Censorstop commented that,
“Every gay bookseller in this
country has attempted to sell
their bookstores, but nobody
wants to buy them.”
There is a lot of support for
the Little Sister’s initiative, as
Customs has a history of con-
flict with gay and lesbian book-
stores in Canada. According to
Mistysyn, the fact that there
are only three specifically gay
and lesbian bookstores in
Canada makes it easy for offi-
cials to keep track of the ship-
ments imported by these
stores,
Glad Day has had its share
of hassles with the border
guards, After numerous in-
stances of prolonged shipment
detention without notification,
the store was forced to start
importing through a broker,
Although this is an extra ex-
Fourth World Conference on.
Women in Beijing. Demonstra-
tors were extremely displeased
by the exclusion of lesbian
rights at the conference and
marched with banners read-
ing “Lesbian Rights are Hu-
man Rights.”
Youcan contact Lesbianasa
la Vista at Piedras 1170 lero.B,
(1070) Buenos Aires, Argen-
tina and ales@wawani.apc.org.
Denmark’s Same Sex
marriage policy.
In a display of protest, two
leaders of Denmark's national
queer organisation were mar-
ried. The queer couple con-
sists of a lesbian and gay HAT
pense, it ensures that officials
will be forced to at least give
notice when they seize a ship-
ment at the Canada/US bor-
der.
While Janine Fuller of Little
Sisters said “There is less im-
position of state will on the
private domain” in Québec,
the Montréal bookstore
L'Androgyne has also been on
Custom’s hit list in the past.
Fuller admitted that book-
stores carrying gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgendered
literature are starting to buckle.
under the pressure. “We end
up censoring ourselves,” said
Fuller.
The resultis that some pub-
lications, such as the lesbian
erotic magazine Bad Attitude,
have “effectively been banned
in Canada,” said Fuller.
But Little Sisters continues
to be defiant, because, as Fuller
stated, “A gay and lesbian
bookstore is one of the few
places where gays can see their
ideas and history repre-
sented.”
The marriage was intended
to protest provisions in Dan-
ish law that withhold certain
rights granted to opposite sex
couples, such as adoption and
access to artificial insemina-
tion.
Denmark was the first
country in the world to allow
same-sex unions in 1989, a
decision soon followed by
many Other European na-
tions.
In a related story, Eigil
Axgil, part of the first couple
. to be legally married in the
world, died at the age of 71.
He had been happily married
for six years with his lover
Axel Axgil, The couple’ had
been soccer for Gly peus :
“THE MCGILL DAILY Spcciail sue
_ _— aE ee 2 ee oe eS
Ed SEE ns — =
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am a clean, responsible mature stu-
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Everything included. Tel 279-0768.
2-MOVERS/STORAGE
Moving/Storage. Closed van or
truck local & long distance. Ott-Tor-
Van-NY-Fla-7 days, 24 hours, low
rates. Steve 735-8148.
3-HELP WANTED
Models, actors, extras.
Opportunities for all ages and sizes.
Fashion, TV, print, film. 633-8605.
Christmas gift wrappers—
Creative individuals, locations—
downtown Toronto, North York,
Woodbine Centre, Mississauga.
= eee SE SS LS
Managers to $8.25/hour+bonuses.
Wrappers to $7.15/hour. Full/Part
une December 1-24. 416-538-
1-HOUSING
Role-Model req'd to live in close
proximity to young mothers experienc-
ing independent living. Free rent. Role-Model req'd to live in close
Lachine duplex. Info: Carol Norman proximity to young mothers experienc-
482-2488. ing independent living. Free rent.
1} to sublet, clean, sunny & quiet. Lachine duplex. Info: Carol Norman
Near St-Laurent tOmin” walk to | 482-2488.
McGill. Balcony, hardwd floors,
security. $380/month 845-8637.
CRUISE SHIPS
HIRING Earn up to
$2,000+ per month
working for Cruise Ships or Land-Tour Companies.
World Travel (Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, etc.).
Seasonal and Full-Time employment available. No exp.
necessary. For info call: (©
=
gee
Students Needed!
Cruise Employment Services
(206) 634-0468 ext. C40052
TRAVEL ABROAD & WORK!
+ Teach Conversational English in Asia *
Make up to $25-$45 per hour teaching basic conversational English
abroad. Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea. Positions also available
in Thailand, China, and Indonesia. Many Employers provide room
& board plus other benefits. No teaching background or Asian
languages required. For more information, call one of our
representatives at International Employment Group:
PM INTERNATIONAL (206)632-1146
we EMPLOYMENT
f? e f2 6) Ue ext. J40052
FREE milkshake or soup
with purchase of an
sandwich with this ad.
$1.80 value)
Les Cours oneal
(Food Court metro level
1455 Peel St.
(between de Maisonneuve and
Ste. Catherine)
PEEL
EXPIRES: NOVEMBER 2795
Our Specialties are served with your choice of Salad or Fruits.
Croque Monsieur: smoked ham, smoked gruyère on crusty
White breads Grid annee $3.73
Le Californien: smoked turkey on rye bread. $4.25
L’Italien: Prosciutto, light Provolone cheese on pumpernickle
Loreen ch seer eerie Re tee tste $4.25
L'Original: Roast Beef, New Zealand Edam cheese on Kaiser
bun? Grilled 2e Sea eae enr $4,25
Le Moulin Vert: French Brie on baguette... $4.85
[eS Ss ss Se Se ss
me ee mes em = ee à Ce € CRE commen © CE 5 me 6 mt oe
Personal trainer required in the
Park Ave. & Prince Arthur area.
Sessions 2 or 3 times per week in
evenings & weekends. Knowledge of
nutrition plus squash will be an asset.
Please call on weekends or after 2100
on weekdays. Tel. 843-3502.
Do you like candles? Partylite fea-
tures unique collection of candles &
home decor accessories. Seeking
consultants (party plan). No invest-
ment. 727-4256.
Quebec Franchi$e magazine
looking for graduate able to translate
eneral business text from French to
: i Leth on contract basis. Call 287-
5-WorpD PROCESSING/TYPING
Success to all students.
WordPerfect 5.1. Term papers,
resumes, applications, transcription
of micro-cassettes. Editing of gram-
mar, 27 yrs. experience. $1.75/D.S.P,
7 days/week. Campus / Peel /
Sherbrooke. Paulette / Roxanne 288-
9638/288-0016.
McGill College/Sherbrooke
quality word processing of term
papers, theses, résumés, bilingual.
Also diskette RTE EL at 600
dpi. Ginette 848-0423.
Word-processing term papers:
theses, reports, etc. WordPerfect
5.1. Laser printer. Fast, professional
service. Good Rates. 10 Ve expe-
rience. Close to McGill. Brigitte 282-
Word Processing
Fast professional typing
apers, documents, resumes
xecu-Centre 1200 McGill
College 11th Floor 20% Discount for
Students 393-1100
Professional wordprocessing.
$1.50/page. Same-day service,
downtown, editing, laser. For all your
SRI EAN ETATS academic
papers, CV, graphic, etc. M-F 1:00am-
6pm. Wendy 499-0140.
6-SERVICES OFFERED
Experienced editor/proofread-
er/ writer/tutor. Help with your stu-
dent papers, theses, manuscripts,
résumés translation Spanish/French
/English. Call Marian 765-9804 7
Days/week
Foreign students & visitors.
DV-1 Greencard posent available.
Tel: 818-772-7168 & 818-882-9681.
rs Stagg st. Canoga Park
Post Office
Varieté David Cho
Closest to McGill 2001 University.
Mon-Fri 8:00am-6:00pm. We offer
parcel service. Priority courier,
xpress post, registered mail, money
orders etc. Tel. 844-6455,
Translation from English to French,
and editing, on WP5.1, by prof., member
of Ordre des Traducteurs agrés du
Québec. 257-1253,
Save Time and Money
University application kits
procurement service for any North
American Graduate egree
Tel. 486-4945 Fax. 486-2186.
Pet Care:
Looking for someone to feed
and care for your pet over the holi-
days? Call Jo-anne 524-1689,
7-FOR SALE
Attn Architecture
gineering professiona
“Norman Wade” drafting table com-
lete with “Vemco” drafting machine
’x3’ price negotiable 282-9557.
9-WANTED To Buy
Sound too good to be true.
Make money while going to class. We
pay for your lecture notes: Call 936-6466
11-LOST & FOUND
Se ee
Tabby-cat found. To give away.
Prya. 989-8516.
13-LESSONS/COURSES
Learn French with a qualified
experienced teacher/ also tutoring
children all levels. Atwater/de
Maisonneuve 7 days/week. 932-9035.
Authentic School of
Esoteric Studies
25-week evening course totally
free-of-charge to study oneself/life
and awaken consciousness based on
direct experience. All are welcome. Info
session 16 Nov & 18 Nov, 1015
Atwater. U.C. Gnostic Movement: a
non-profit, non-religious, humanitarian
and int'l organization. (514)-384-1982:
14-NOTICES
I
McGill Nightline open 9pm-3am a
confidential and anonymous line. We
offer listening, referrals and informa-
tion. Call at 398-6246 398-MAIN.
sage
Department of Physical Education
Faculty of Education
WINTER 1996
434-392R.01: Nutrition & Wellness
Wednesday & Friday - 9:00-10:30 - Room 408, Currie Gym Bldg.
This course examines the role of carbohydrates, fats, proteins,
vitamins, minerals and water in a balanced diet. Students will
be introduced to the effects of nutrition on exercise, sport
performance and wellness. The concept of wellness from an
active living and stress reduction perspective will also be
discussed,
434-502Y.61: Selected Iisues: Sport medicine
Wednesdays - 17:00-20:00 - Room 152, Currie Gym Bldg,
Are you interested in understanding the healing process of
common sport injuries? À new course is being offered that
focuses on these issues. Aimed at physical educators, coaches,
trainers, and taught by sport medicine physicians, the course
will review recent scientific developments in the rapidly growing
field of sports medicine.
English Language Courses
95
December
Conversation (cight levels)
TOEFL Preparation
Writing for the CELDT
Registration Fee (non-refundable)
Late Registration Fee (commencing November 28) ..
Monday to lriday
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (40 hours)
December 4 to December 15
Days:
Time:
Dates:
Registration in person before November 23
848-3608
1822 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W.
Montreal, Quebec H3H 148
Call Now:
Centre for
Continuing
Education
“| Concordia
“wy UNIVERSITY
REAL EDUCATION FOR THE REAL WORLD
Sexual Assault
Centre of McGill
Have you been
sexually harassed
or assaulted here?
ACCOMPANIMENT AND ADVOCACY
PROGRAMME:
Trained volunteers from the Sexual Assault Centre of
McGill Students Society, an organization made up of students
who are committed to working together to stop sexual
harassment and assault, will provide information, support
and accompaniment services to members of the McGill
community who are considering taking action against their
aggressors through the university grievance procedures.
Students’ Society
Sexual harassment and assault are prohibited under the
McGill University Code of Student Conduct
Find out what you can do about it af McGill.
CALL US
398-2700 Mon-Fri, 9:30-5:30
398-8500, Seven days a week, 6:00 pm-12:00 am
William Shatner University Centre, Room 430
YOUR DOWNTOWN
A CCESS Info-Tecn EPSON SERL CE
AE
IN STORE STUDENT FINANCING
Tough on Fe
Road, Easy on St en:
the Budget.
FNEEOQ Association des Etudiant-e-s
Diplômé-e-s Employé-e-s de McGill
SCTIL
Association of Graduate Students
Employed at McGill
CSN
Union Tour
è
À ction N ote Coming soon to your department.
In November, members of the coordinating
6 b () C 6 () LO [/ R committee and your local representative
- Fast 486D.X2-66MHz Processor will be setting up a meeting in your building.
; | The meeting will include background on
- Large 10.3" Passive Colour Display AGSEM, what is going on in bargaining
with Built-In Local Bus Video with McGill, the vacation pay issue and
- SMB Ram , 340MB HDD, 3.5" FD any other questions you want to raise.
- Type III PCMCIA Slot Coffee and donuts will be provided.
- Built-In Trackball We'll see you there.
$79 permonth
LIMITED QUANTITY. CASH PRICE ONLY
r Room 12, Suite 2401, 2020 University Street, Montréal, Québec, H3A 2A5
444 Rene-Levesque West. 1120 DeMaisonneuve West y ; ; ;
Conver Blears Corner Stanley Tel: (514) 398-2582. Fax: (514) 398-2623. email: agsem@facl.lan.mcglll.ca
UL 471O
mown
p d'Arts Tel.: (514) 288 - 6000 Tel: (514)288-6000 PEL
imprimerie — reprographie
= = COPIE EXPRESS
(corner of University & Ne 680 SH ERBROO KE WEST
| The all new digital printshop of the 90’s.
DON’T MISS THIS GREAT
ce py OPPORTUNITY
. fe A it < cy Visit us and take advantage of our special
a “an LD) discount for students and faculty.
(D ji A
ie ve ae
20%
UNTIL NOV. 30) NOV. UNTIL NOV. 30)
"a
Ansar
ws Any
7
mets'C
Award’ Wo,
Mon: Fri:
. some 10: 00m
680 SHERBROOKE WEST
corn ner of University & McGill) .
~ 20 -
Live Music
Archive
Librivox
Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland
Museum of Art
Internet
Arcade
Console Living Room
Open Library
American
Libraries
TV News
Understanding
9/11